Pregnant women with certain types of stomach pains are sometimes treated with Voltaren (diclofenac)

Fråga: Pregnant women with certain types of stomach pains are sometimes treated with Voltaren (diclofenac). At which dose levels could one expect to see constrictive effects on the fetal ductus arteriosus? Is this effect reversible? Is it dose dependent?

Sammanfattning: "After a thorough literature search, no studies could be found concerning diclofenac and its effects on the fetal ductus arteriosus. A recent Drugline document (1) extensively reviewed the question of treatment with NSAIDs during pregnancy with respect to adverse effects on the fetus, including constrictive effects on the ductus arteriosus. A copy of this document will be sent together with this answer. However, this document can also only refer to studies with indomethacin, used in the treatment of premature labour. According to (2), any ""safe"" or even ""smallest effective"" dose of indomethacin has not yet been defined. Other uses of indomethacin, such as for analgesia or inflammation, have not been studied in pregnancy and should be approached with caution."

Svar: Se sammanfattning/konklusjon. 1 Drugline nr 07863 (year 1991) (enclosed) 2 Briggs, Drugs in pregnancy and lactation, 1986; 2nd ed: 313-317