Acetaminophen (also offered under the brand name Tylenol) is the most commonly-used medication during pregnancy. The drug hasn’t been well studied in pregnant women. (Few drugs have.) However it has been widely used for years and is considered by healthcare providers to be the non-prescription pain reliever and fever reducer of choice during pregnancy.
Does Tylenol (Acetaminophen) Safe If You Are Pregnant?
In fact, because fevers during pregnancy can cause numerous risks to the establishing baby, doctors recommend that you take acetaminophen if your fever is 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
It’s great to take either regular or additional strength acetaminophen, however be careful not to take more than the quantity recommended on the label. If you take excessive, it can cause liver failure both in you and, later in pregnancy, in your baby.
There have actually been a couple of recent research studies linking women’s use of acetaminophen during pregnancy with behavioral problems, such as ADHD, in their children. The effects were strongest in women who used acetaminophen extensively, particularly in the later months of pregnancy. More studies are had to verify the link, however this is another good factor not to use more than is recommended.
Check with your healthcare provider before taking any multi-symptom remedies such as Tylenol Cold. These solutions contain a host of other medications, a few of which may not be safe to take during pregnancy.
Safe Painkiller Medicine During Pregnancy
Safe to take: Regular and extra-strength Tylenol (acetaminophen).
Follow the dose on the bottle for Tylenol and you’ll be all right. Other types of pain relievers — such as ibuprofen (a.k.a. Motrin or Advil) and naproxen (a.k.a. Aleve)– can trigger a reduction in amniotic fluid levels in third trimester (which means less cushioning for baby and more pressure on its lifeline, the umbilical cable), states MD. Advil may likewise make a particular vessel in the baby’s heart close prematurely and cause developmental issues in later stages of pregnancy.
