NSAIDs and Early Pregnancy Failure

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use during early pregnancy was associated with excess risk for miscarriage — but the case against NSAIDs as a causal agent remains largely unproven.

Clinicians generally advise women to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during pregnancy; however, early exposure is sometimes unintentional or unavoidable, and data conflict on adverse pregnancy events related to NSAIDs. To explore this issue, Canadian investigators conducted a nested case-control study of 67,000 women who were enrolled in a prescription drug plan. Use of NSAIDs (defined as having filled a prescription for a medication in this class during or just before pregnancy) was assessed in women who experienced spontaneous abortions before 20 weeks' gestation and in controls who did not experience early pregnancy loss. NSAIDs are covered by insurance, minimizing the likelihood of over-the-counter use.

Overall, 4705 …

Reviewing Author

Allison Bryant, MD, MPH

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Board of Directors)

Allison Bryant, MD, MPH

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Board of Directors)

NSAIDs and Early Pregnancy Failure

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Reviewing Author