Tylenol contains acetaminophen that is available over the counter for treating fever, body aches, and headaches while pregnant. Certain advanced Tylenol formulations are also available for colds and flu, insomnia, and sinus infections, imparting additional benefits to women during pregnancy.
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Key Points
- Tylenol is considered a safe pregnancy category B medicine, however recently, doctors and scientists issued consensus statements indicating ADHD development in newborns born to mothers taking Tylenol during pregnancy.
- FDA negated the harmful effects of Tylenol during pregnancy owing to the lack of experimental research data.
- The Tylenol recommendations indicate that it should be used upon doctor’s prescription in pregnancy in the smallest doses and for the shortest time.
Tylenol Pregnancy Category
FDA category B (No reported teratogenic effects)
Drug Category
Analgesic and Antipyretic
Is Tylenol safe during pregnancy?
Tylenol is a safe medicine during pregnancy that is used to relieve pain including headache, backache, pain in the legs, etc., in almost 60% of pregnant women in the USA. It is an FDA-approved drug with no reported fetal defects in animal studies.
Recently, a controversy against the use of Tylenol in pregnancy started when a consensus statement was published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology indicating the harmful effects of Tylenol on pregnancy. The journal published that infants born to mothers taking Tylenol are more prone to developing ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) during their lives.
FDA however issued a drug safety statement stating that the above data lacks sufficient research to report the harmful effects teratogenic effects of Tylenol in pregnancy.
Hence, the safety profile of Tylenol still persists in pregnancy as no sufficient data proves birth defects due to its use.
Consult a gynecologist before using any OTC pain medicine during pregnancy.
Does Tylenol affect Fetal Development?
Tylenol contains acetaminophen or paracetamol that works by inhibiting the pain receptors called prostaglandins in the central nervous system. The drug is considered safe as it does not affect fetal development as shown in animal studies. No report of teratogenic effects on pregnant animal models was reported.
Is Tylenol safe during Breastfeeding?
Tylenol is a safe pain killer in lactating mothers when compared to other similar OTC drugs like NSAIDs. The medicine is not secreted in breast milk however, adhesion to the recommended dosage is recommended to prevent any detrimental effects on the infant.
Also Read: Panadol Tablet uses
The recommended dose of Tylenol in Pregnancy
It is relatively important to manage the pain during pregnancy as chronic pains may lead to the development of mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
The usual recommended dose of Tylenol should not exceed 3000mg per day unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor.
The following guidelines are to be followed while using Tylenol while pregnant;
- Do not take the medicine unless it is medically indicated by the doctor.
- Consult with a gynecologist about the dosing schedule of Tylenol during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
- As a general rule, Tylenol should be used in the smallest possible doses for the shortest period of time.
Read also: Early signs and symptoms of pregnancy
FAQs
1. Can you take extra-strength Tylenol during pregnancy?
Tylenol is an FDA-approved safe drug during pregnancy when used in the recommended doses. Consult a doctor before using OTC painkillers like Tylenol while pregnant.
2. Is it safe to take Tylenol during the first trimester?
Tylenol is a medicine of choice during the first trimester for treating pregnancy headaches. It is the most effective and safe option as no birth defect or miscarriage has been reported with the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy.
