There have been reports lately about acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy causing an increased risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
The study did involve many limitations and suggests that current practice should not be changed at this time; however, additional studies are planned for this area of medicine.
This blog entry is intended to educate you about risks to your unborn child, not to scare you into not taking Acetaminophen at all. In fact, Acetaminophen is the only fever reducer safe during pregnancy. There are many studies that have found a link between high fevers in pregnancy and the development of autism in children therefore taking Acetaminophen is actually recommended.
It is difficult to isolate a specific link between Acetaminophen usage and ADHD as both are so often taken/diagnosed. For many decades now we have known that Acetaminophen is safe to take during pregnancy therefore there has been little concern placed on it. In fact there is probably too little concern placed on it now days and it is important to remind patients of some risks that are associated with Acetaminophen use in general, not pregnancy alone.
- You CAN overdose on Acetaminophen. There is a daily maximum of 4grams or 4000mg. These days many over-the-counter medications as well as prescription medications contain Acetaminophen so you may not be aware of the amount you take. It is important to read medication labels to ensure that you are not consuming too much.
- You should NOT drink alcohol if taking Acetaminophen containing medications.
- As with any medication during pregnancy, prolonged usage should be avoided. It is ok to take Acetaminophen containing medications for fevers, chills, and aches during pregnancy but it should only be taken for a short period of time, not on a daily basis.
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JUN