Every parent wants what’s best for their baby. But with so much advice from the news, social media, and even relatives, it can be hard to know what information to trust. In this post, one of our registered nurses will answer the most common questions about using Tylenol during pregnancy so you can feel empowered to make informed, healthy choices for yourself and your baby.
* Always talk to your OB provider before taking medicine while pregnant. The information here is general and not a substitute for medical care. Your provider will help you decide what’s safest for your personal situation.*
Tylenol (also known as acetaminophen, APAP, or paracetamol) is commonly used to treat pain and fever during pregnancy because it is recognized to be safer than other over the counter medications. Like many medicines, the CDC recommends avoiding Tylenol during pregnancy unless it is absolutely necessary.
Talk to your doctor first. A fever of less than 101 degrees is considered “low-grade” and usually does not need treatment (we will talk about other ways to feel better later in this post). Call your doctor if your temperature is greater than 101 degrees, even if it’s late at night or the weekend, since most OB doctors have answering services and nurse lines. If your OB provider recommends you take medication for your fever, its because the risk to your pregnancy from the fever is greater than the risk from the medicine. Fever can also be a sign of infection, so your doctor will be able to diagnose and treat the cause of your fever.
High fevers can be dangerous during pregnancy. What makes this more complicated is that untreated fevers (a body temperature greater than 101 degrees) may also increase the risk of certain birth defects, especially in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Your doctor will help you balance the risks vs benefits and treat any infections like cold or flu that may be causing the fever.
Lowest effective dose for the shortest time. Taking the least amount of medicine that works for your symptoms and stopping once the symptoms go away is a common-sense strategy that balances the risks and benefits of taking any medication. The recommended dose for all adults including when pregnant is usually 650mg, (two 325mg tablets) every 4-6 hours. Carefully follow label dosing instructions and your doctor’s advice, and don’t take more than the maximum daily dose on the label. Read the labels of any other medicines or remedies you take to make sure they don’t contain Tylenol (acetaminophen) as an ingredient.
More than half of all pregnant women worldwide take Tylenol at some point during their pregnancy. While this is still considered to be the fever reducer of choice in pregnancy and much safer than alternatives like ibuprofen, some studies show that women who have taken it are more likely to have children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The studies associating Tylenol with autism and ADHD suggest that the link is strongest when taken for a long time or at higher doses, especially during the second half of pregnancy. That means if you took Tylenol according to the package directions to treat a fever early in your pregnancy, the risk seems to be less.
It’s important to know that this does not mean that Tylenol is the only cause of autism or ADHD, only that it may increase the likelihood. Autism and ADHD can happen in families who never used Tylenol during pregnancy. As a precaution, the FDA has asked doctors to limit Tylenol use to when it’s needed, while still confirming it is the safest fever reducer available in pregnancy when used correctly. Updates to the product labels are planned.
No. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are common over the counter pain relievers. Some common medicines in this category include ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), aspirin and naproxen (Aleve or Naprosyn). Although NSAIDs are commonly used to treat fever, taking NSAIDs while pregnant, especially after 20 weeks, may affect your baby’s kidney and lungs and raise the risk of premature birth. These medicines should only be used if your doctor prescribes them for a specific reason.
Mild illnesses can cause fevers that make you feel terrible, but don’t necessarily need to be treated. There are some things you can do to feel better sooner:
Rest: Your body needs energy to fight illness. Sleep when you can and try not to do anything strenuous.
Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to replace what you lose through sweat. Try to drink enough water to keep your urine very pale yellow, and avoid caffeinated or sugary drinks that can dehydrate you even more.
Cool: Place a cool, damp cloth or sponge to your forehead and the back of your neck. Wear light, breathable clothing. You can also try taking a cool shower or bath, but not ice cold! The water should be just room temperature and still comfortable.
Pregnancy can also come with a lot of aches and pains, especially as baby’s arrival day gets closer. If you don’t want to take a pain-relieving medication, you can try:
Call your doctor right away if your fever is over 101 degrees. Your OB will be your best resource for making healthy choices for you and your little one. You’ve got this!
CDC Medicine and Pregnancy Topic
FDA Acetaminophen News Release
FDA Acetaminophen Information Sheet
Mother to Baby – Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Exposure Fact Sheets
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
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Savannah Care Center does not offer or refer for abortions or birth control. Information is provided as an educational service and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.
Our services are not intended to be a substitute for licensed professional counseling or for either routine or emergency medical or prenatal care. Individuals who believe they are experiencing a medical emergency should call 9-1-1 and seek care from the nearest emergency room.
The information provided on this website is for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.
