Do You Know Why You Shouldn't Use Acetaminophen During Pregnancy?

Even when it comes to taking a single tablet of acetaminophen, a medication for fever and pain, it's important to be cautious. In this section, we address the side effects of acetaminophen use during pregnancy.

The FDA always advises consulting a doctor before using any type of painkiller during pregnancy.

Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is a commonly available painkiller that 65 to 70 percent of pregnant women in the United States use. It is also included in other medications for treating cold or flu symptoms, allergies, and sleep disorders.

Research on the safety of medications during pregnancy is ongoing, and definitive conclusions are still being sought.

The FDA stated that severe and persistent pain during pregnancy that is not effectively treated can lead to depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure in the mother.

The statement continues: "However, it is important to carefully assess the benefits and risks of using prescription medications during pregnancy."

Acetaminophen During Pregnancy

As a pregnant mother, it's important to closely examine studies on the effects of medications. Evidence of a connection between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and acetaminophen use during pregnancy has steadily increased in recent years.

New studies have added to this by pointing to the potential fertility effects on the child after using acetaminophen.

Key Points You Need to Know:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Behavioral Issues

While previous efforts to establish a link between ADHD and acetaminophen use have been numerous, a review of all studies since 2015 has revealed some limitations in their designs. Some studies have shown contradictory results, preventing reliable conclusions from being drawn.

Last November, a study from the Journal of Pediatrics, involving around 100,000 mothers, examined acetaminophen use during pregnancy. Nearly half of the participants used the medication. Researchers found that the risk of giving birth to a child with ADHD symptoms increased when mothers used acetaminophen for more than 7 days.

Using the drug for 29 days or more doubled the risk of giving birth to a child with ADHD, regardless of whether the reason for using the medication was fever, infection, or pain.

This aligns with a 2016 study showing that when mothers used acetaminophen at 18 weeks of pregnancy, there was a higher chance their children would develop hyperactivity symptoms. When this medication was used later in pregnancy, such as at 32 weeks, these symptoms persisted, but the risk of emotional issues and overall behavioral problems was also higher.

Negative Effects on Future Generations' Fertility

A few years ago, a study revealed a potential connection between acetaminophen and fertility issues in mice. Daily doses of acetaminophen over 7 days reduced testosterone levels in male infants by nearly half, and female fetuses in the first trimester may undergo a critical period.

Data from these mouse studies indicates that acetaminophen may also disrupt the normal development of female sexual organs, leading to symptoms similar to premature ovarian failure in humans.

Studies have shown that when pregnant individuals took acetaminophen, their children produced fewer eggs, and in one study, it was noted that this effect could be passed on to future generations, even if they are not exposed to acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen and Language Delay

Language delay refers to using fewer than 50 words by the age of 30 months, as assessed by specialized nurses and a questionnaire. In general, 10% of children experienced a delay in language development, with girls being affected more than boys.

However, when mothers took six or more acetaminophen tablets during pregnancy, the risk of girls showing signs of language delay increased almost sixfold.

There was no such association between acetaminophen use and language delay in boys in this study.