Is Nifedipine safe for pregnancy?

It's no secret that pregnant women often suffer from various disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system, in particular, from high blood pressure. Naturally, this condition affects negatively both the mother's health and the body growing inside her. Therefore, many are interested in questions about whether "Nifedipine" is allowed during pregnancy. Are there any side effects? Is the medicine safe for the baby?

The drug "Nifedipine": description and properties

This drug is available in various forms - it's tablets, dragees, solutions for infusions and drops. The main active substance - nifedipine - is a blocker of calcium channels in cells of smooth muscles and cardiomyocytes.

This drug has antihypertensive properties. In addition, since the drug acts on the muscular wall of the vessels, a pronounced vasodilating effect is observed. The medication is widely used in modern cardiology to control blood pressure, stop angina attacks , treat heart attacks and cardiomyopathy. Often, doctors recommend "Nifedipine" during pregnancy. After all, during this period it is extremely important to maintain the normal functioning of the circulatory system.

What is Nifedipine used for in pregnancy?

During the gestation of a child, the body of a woman becomes more susceptible to one or another disease. For example, already existing problems with the heart can worsen during pregnancy. After all, the baby's growing body must now be supplied with blood, which increases the load on the cardiovascular system.

In some cases, similar problems appear as a complication. For example, many women in the second half of pregnancy suffer from increased blood pressure. The condition is extremely dangerous and in the absence of treatment can lead to severe secondary toxicosis, severe puffiness and kidney damage, neurological disorders. Hypertension often leads to premature birth and increases the risk of death for the mother. It is in such cases that doctors recommend the use of "Nifedipine". On the other hand, the same drug is used to treat hypertension of the uterus.

How safe is Nifedipine in pregnancy?

If you carefully read the instructions to the drug, you can see that pregnancy and breastfeeding are part of the contraindications. Despite this, the medicine still is used to eliminate pressure problems.

Many studies have shown that the drug is relatively safe, and its use in the second half of pregnancy does not pose any threat to the life of a woman or child. But in the first 16 weeks, "Nifedipine" is practically not used - today there is no confirmation that in the early term the active substances of the drug do not affect the laying of organs and the development of the fetus.

In any case, it should be understood that only a doctor can prescribe "Nifedipine" - the instructions, doses, regimen and treatment regimen can only be selected by a specialist. In some cases, prolonged use of this medication can lead to the development of withdrawal syndrome, so stop taking medication gradually.

As for the side effects, they are rarely recorded, but still possible. These include nausea and diarrhea, hives, dizziness, problems with concentration, headaches. If you feel worse, you should immediately consult a doctor - you may need to change the drug.