over the counter painkillers

[kazzey12]

please could sum1 help, my sister is 33 weeks pregnant and went for a scan on friday and was told the baby is the size of a 27 week pregnancy she does have somethin wrong with her kidneys so is on medication for that off the hospital but she also takes paramol which she gets from the chemist only just found out that she has been taking paramol for a long time now and also been told off her partner that she takes them like smarties he doesnt think that she has even told the doctor that she is taking paramol she buys up to 2 boxes a week of paramol is paramol safe to take in pregnancy.


thanks karen

[PinkGlitter]

No she should not be taking them without telling her doctor. Also Paramol is only supposed to be taken for 3 days maximum so the fact she's been taking them for a long time suggests she may have an addiction problem.

[kemzero]

and it contains dihydrocodeine (an opioid derivative)...other things aside she'll be seriously constipated.

[kazzey12]

thank you for your information.
from what i have read she does has an addiction problem with paramol but worried about the baby is the baby small because of her taking paramol and if she keeps taking it what is it doing to the unborn baby.

[SolomonQ]

The dihydrocodeine might effect the growth of the baby in terms of the bone and cartlidge formation, also with the regular taking of it, it might cause dependence (addiction) in the baby too resulting in withdrawal symptoms at birth.

[Nik]

Surely our resident GP can help with this query ?

[funkeeduck]

Hi Kazzey,

If you contact NHS Direct 0845 46 47 then the advisor can take all the information (full list of medicines from hospital, GP and bought over the counter PLUS her medical conditions) and pass it on to a medicines information centre staffed by pharmacists who have expert knowledge in the use of drugs in pregnancy (and/or when breastfeeding).

They have access to specialist information from around the world, and can help give you and your family the most accurate information.
It's important to note the issue of confidentiality, so if possible you need to try and ask your sister for her consent for you to be discussing her medical history.
The medicines information pharmacist could then also pass on any information regarding how best to look after both your sister and her baby in the coming weeks to your sisters doctors (with her permission).

Although it is obviously best for ladies to avoid all medicines during pregnancy this is not always possible especially if someone has an underlying condition.
Your sister's case has been complicated by her use of Paramol.

Encourage your sister to be totally honest with her doctors and midwife regarding her Paramol use -they should not judge, and will probably have dealt with similar things before. They should also be able to refer her for counselling if necessary to help deal with, what does sadly sound like, her dependence on painkillers.
I'm sure she wants to do what is best for baby, so give her all your support and help, over what may be a tricky time. Fingers crossed.

[Jeff]

Kazzey,
What everyone else has said - with a quick ad for CodeineFree - Codeine free is a support group primarily for people with problems with codeine based OTC medicines. if she whats some on-line support.

Jeff

[johnep]

Reminds me of the cigarette puffing pregnant girl who was worried about NRT, in case it harmed the baby. Also the pregnant addict who worried that Methadone replacement for her heroin could be harmful.
johnep

[the old merlin]

Hi Kazzey
Funkeeduck gave good advice. Furthermore, at 33 weeks your sister is about to give birth, and, generally speaking, once one is inside the NHS system she'll be well looked after.
Plus babies are likely to get the sympathy vote from the staff. Your sister might not, but the staff will take the view that it's not the baby's fault.

And, best wishes to all three of you. Hope it all works out.