Expectant moms know that they have to be extra cautious about being exposed to anything that might be harmful to their baby. A cigarette, a wedge of Brie, a sip of champagne, a Starbucks PSL — for the sake of a healthy child, most moms-to-be would stoically do without. But how much Tylenol can you take when you're pregnant? What about taking acetaminophen to ward off a backache or a fever? Is this one more thing we have to cross off the no-no list the minute the plus sign appears on the pregnancy test? Show
Acetaminophen (paracetemol), the generic name for Tylenol, is more often than not our go-to for headaches, backaches, fever, and other assorted aches and pains, whether or not we're pregnant. It also appears in many OTC medicines, such as cold and flu relievers. "As far as medications, Tylenol is pretty much it for pain [during pregnancy]," Monica McHenry Svets, MD, an OB/GYN at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, tells Romper in an email. "NSAIDS such as ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin, etc., and, of course, narcotics, have their own set of risks, and we try to avoid them altogether in a pregnancy." As far as dosage, "Acetaminophen should be used at the lowest possible dosage and for the shortest time," says Dr. Svets. For pregnant women, he adds, that means 650 mg every six hours, or 1,000 mg every eight hours. Adds OB/GYN Iffath Hoskins, MD, a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Langone Health: "During the first trimester, the least amount of any medications, including Tylenol, should be taken. For the other two trimesters, Tylenol can be used as needed, while staying within the 'safe amount,' or less than 4 grams a day." In recent years, however, some troubling information has come to light about the potential risks of taking acetaminophen during pregnancy. In one recent study from Sweden published in the journal European Psychiatry, language delays were more prevalent in 2-year-old girls whose mothers took acetaminophen than in daughters of mothers who took little or none of the drug. (The same effect was not noticeable in boys.) Another study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found an "association" between ADHD in children and acetaminophen use during pregnancy; the risk increased with long-term use in pregnant women. As scary as that all sounds, it doesn't mean that you should quit Tylenol for the duration. "Many doctors disagree about the strength of the evidence in these studies linking Tylenol to ADHD, autism, developmental delays or behavioral problems. No study actually proves these claims. They only suggest a possible association," Dr. Svets points out. Dr. Hoskins agrees: "Any medication taken during pregnancy could cause harmful effects. However, ADHD and speech delays are quite common, regardless of whether or not they are associated with any external agents ingested." As with many such studies, much more research needs to be done to determine whether there's an undeniable connection between Tylenol use in pregnant women and developmental issues in their children. Dr. Svets also points out that not taking Tylenol may actually be more risky than taking a safe dosage. Running a high fever during the first trimesterof pregnancy can increase the baby's risk of developing congenital heart defects or facial abnormalities such as cleft lip or palate, according to a study published in the journal Science Signaling. Untreated chronic pain can also have "poor outcomes for both mother and fetus," says Dr. Svets, so trying to tough out the pain without any relief isn't a good solution, either. Bottom line: If you're pregnant, it's always best to talk to your doctor about what meds are safe to take, depending on your situation. "As with any med in pregnancy, if you don't really need it, you shouldn't take it," says Dr. Svets. But if your doctor okays Tylenol, then go ahead and take the recommended dose needed to treat your pain or fever. And don't forget about heating pads, ice packs, or massages. These time-honored home remedies "can be used for pain relief (or stress relief)" all throughout pregnancy, Dr. Hoskins points out. When should I take acetaminophen while pregnant?Consider taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a fever or pain while pregnant. But first check in with your doctor or midwife. In fact, always talk with your healthcare provider before taking any medications – prescription or over-the-counter – when you're pregnant. Learn why it's important to bring down a high fever during pregnancy. Acetaminophen is considered the safest over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer to take when you're pregnant. It's available in liquid, capsules, tablets, and suppositories. Between 40 and 65 percent of pregnant women use acetaminophen at some time during their pregnancy, most often for headache and fever. It's a good idea to take the lowest dose you can to get the job done (reduce your fever or take the edge off that headache), and make sure you never exceed the maximum daily dose. Keep in mind that acetaminophen also shows up in combination with other medications, such as those used to treat colds, headaches, and the flu – so be sure to include those amounts in your daily tally. Remember, too, that the other medications in these multi-symptom formulas may not be safe to take during pregnancy. What are the risks of taking Tylenol while pregnant?No medication is considered 100 percent safe to take during pregnancy. But acetaminophen has been widely used for decades, and extensive research shows that it's safe to take during pregnancy. It has not been shown to increase the chance for miscarriage or birth defects. Of course, it's important to take the right dose. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver and kidney damage and anemia in pregnant women and their babies. There's no high-quality conclusive evidence in humans that acetaminophen – when taken correctly – increases the risk of other problems, though researchers are studying whether taking acetaminophen during pregnancy might lead to: Behavioral problemsSome animal studies suggest that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy – particularly in large amounts or in late pregnancy – might be connected to behavioral problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The FDA (in 2015) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (in 2017) assessed a number of studies and concluded that the evidence of risk for a connection between acetaminophen and ADHD was inconclusive. A later (2017) study of almost 113,000 children in Norway found an increased risk of ADHD when women took acetaminophen for more than 29 days during pregnancy. However, the researchers also found that paternal use of acetaminophen was associated with ADHD, pointing perhaps to another cause for the increased risk. The researchers concluded that they didn't have definitive evidence for or against a causal relation between maternal use of acetaminophen and ADHD. An analysis of studies including over 132,000 mothers and their children published in 2018 concluded that acetaminophen use during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for ADHD, ASD, and hyperactivity symptoms. The researchers cautioned that all of the evidence was observational (based on data remembered and reported by participants) and susceptible to bias. AsthmaSome studies have suggested a link between taking acetaminophen in pregnancy and wheezing or asthma in children. But the link may be due to factors other than the medication itself. A recent Swedish study of almost half a million mothers and their children found an association between childhood asthma/wheezing and acetaminophen use in pregnancy, but the researchers concluded that the association is not causal. In other words, the acetaminophen does not cause the childhood symptoms, though women taking acetaminophen during pregnancy are more likely to have children who develop asthma. Other factors (such as fever, chronic pain, or anxiety in the mother who took the acetaminophen) may be responsible. CryptorchidismIn this condition, one or both testicles don't descend, and some research indicates that exposure to acetaminophen – especially during the second trimester and for more than four weeks – makes it more likely for boys to be born with cryptorchidism. More studies are needed to confirm and explore possible reasons for the association. Experts don't believe these possible risks are any reason not to take acetaminophen if you need pain relief – or to reduce a fever – during pregnancy, but talk with your healthcare provider, especially if you need it frequently. Should certain women avoid acetaminophen during pregnancy all together?Most women can take acetaminophen during pregnancy, but there are specific instances when it should be limited or completely avoided. If you have hepatitis A, B, or C, your healthcare provider probably will recommend you take no more than 2 grams (four 500 mg tablets) of acetaminophen a day – and only for a few days. Do not take acetaminophen at all if you have advanced, complicated cirrhosis (scarring of the liver due to disease). What are some natural ways to relieve pain during pregnancy?Sometimes you can get past minor or moderate pain with natural methods, such as:
Find out what aches and pains you're likely to face, along with some tips for dealing with them in our roundup of common pregnancy aches and pains. Learn more:
Can I take 2 Tylenol strength while pregnant?Laursen says that the dose of Tylenol for pregnant women is the same as for adults who are not pregnant. Take no more than 3,000 milligrams of acetaminophen every 24 hours. For regular strength Tylenol, that's the equivalent of 2 tablets — at 325 milligrams per tablet — every 4 to 6 hours.
Is it safe to take Tylenol 500mg while pregnant?Acetaminophen, also called paracetamol, is a mild pain-relieving drug commonly found in over-the-counter pain and cold medications such as Tylenol. It has generally been considered safe to use during pregnancy.
Can taking too much Tylenol while pregnant hurt the baby?Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage, kidney damage, and anemia (low iron in the blood) in a person who is pregnant. It has also been reported to cause the same problems in the baby.
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How much tylenol can you have while pregnant
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