Overview
Acetaminophen, commonly known as paracetamol or by the brand name Tylenol, is a pain-relieving drug readily available over the counter. Generally considered a painkiller for conditions as common as headaches, it is natural to ponder on if you can take Tylenol while pregnant. This article will discuss the safety profile of Tylenol when taken during pregnancy.
Can I take Tylenol while pregnant?
To answer the question. ‘ Can pregnant women take Tylenol? We turn to society for maternal and fetal health.
As concluded by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Acetaminophen is considered the safest over-the-counter pain-relieving and fever-reducing medication to take for pregnant women.
According to the stats, around 40 -65 percent of pregnant women use Tylenol for pain, such as headaches or back pain. It effectively aids in bringing down a fever during pregnancy.
Taking acetaminophen while you’re pregnant in case of a fever helps reduce your temperature, reducing risks or complications for your baby, including the possibility of developing congenital disabilities, autism, developmental delays and attention deficits.
Tylenol is available in different combinations in the market. Some common ones include:
- Tylenol Pm
Tylenol PM is a combination of two drugs, namely acetaminophen and diphenhydramine (antihistamine). These drugs are generally labeled as safe for short-term or occasional use while pregnant. The recommended dosage for adults is two tablets at night, but exceeding two caplets of Tylenol PM while pregnant in 24 hours is inadvisable. As emphasized by Dr Richard at Your Doctors Online, extended use isn’t recommended for anyone.
- Tylenol Extra Strength
Let us determine if 500mg of Tylenol is safe during pregnancy and if you can take Tylenol extra strength while pregnant.
Tylenol pregnancy dosage 500 mg is safe. Extra-strength Tylenol contains 500 mg in each caplet, and it is safe to consume two of those every six hours for the symptoms but not exceeding six caplets (3,000 mg) in 24 hours.
When can I take Tylenol during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a state where aches and pains are common. Tylenol may offer relief for back pain, body aches and relief from a fever.
According to various studies conducted in the past, no direct link was established between the use of acetaminophen during any trimester that affected fetal development.
Can you take extra-strength Tylenol while pregnant? The short answer is yes.
Tylenol is generally safe to take when taken correctly and in the prescribed dose. The downside of taking too much acetaminophen can, as in the average population, may induce liver and kidney damage and increase the possibility of anemia in pregnant women and their babies.
Is 500mg of Tylenol safe during pregnancy?
Yes, the safety of Tylenol has been established. However, this does not imply that you can exceed the daily recommendation. Taking two 500mg tablets/capsules every 6 hours is within the limit. Caution must be taken and one should not take more than 6 pills (3,000 mg) in 24 hours. That addresses the important question of how often you can take 1,000 mg of Tylenol while pregnant?
What are the risks of taking Tylenol while pregnant?
None of the medications can be marked as 100 percent safe to take during pregnancy. However, acetaminophen has been widely used as an antipyretic and pain reliever to take during pregnancy without the added worry of increasing the chance of miscarriage or congenital disabilities.
Staying within the recommended dosage will not cause any adverse effects to the mother or the child, as suggested by most of the studies conducted up to now. Furthermore, occasional use will not cause any harm.
When to consult a doctor?
Typically, Tylenol is classified as safe to take during pregnancy as long as you take it occasionally and stay within the dosage advised.
It is essential to keep in touch with a health care provider while pregnant and be aware of the medications that are and are not safe to consume during this time. A doctor can help guide you throughout this process, which will help ensure your and your child’s health.
If you have any pressing questions, similar to, “Can you take Tylenol while pregnant?’’ or simply require the reassurance of a doctor as a concerned pregnant woman, connect with one of our doctors at Your Doctors Online and put your mind at ease.
FAQs about Tylenol during pregnancy
Staying within the recommended dosage will not cause adverse effects to the mother or the child, as suggested by most of the studies. Furthermore, occasional use will not cause any harm to your child or affect their development.
As with any medication, caution must be taken while administering it. Staying within the recommended dosage and taking Tylenol occasionally has no adverse effects.
Tylenol is the first and safest medication to take as a pain reliever and fever reducer during pregnancy. That is why it is advised by the doctor during pregnancy.
As a low-risk medication, Tylenol is the first recommendation as NSAIDS like ibuprofen cannot be taken after 20 weeks as they increase the chances of birth defects.
