Paracetamol during pregnancy
Safe dose and possible effect on the fetus
by Nazeha Maryam Jamal, 4th Year Medical Student
Paracetamol is used during pregnancy after consulting a doctor. You can take a maximum of 8 painkiller tablets containing 500 mg of paracetamol per day. You can take 1–2 tablets at a time. Paracetamol during pregnancy should be used only temporarily and preferably in the lowest effective doses possible.
Due to the fact that the metabolism of drugs changes during pregnancy, and most of them pass through the placenta and may affect the fetus, even taking such a popular drug as paracetamol requires caution and often consultation with a doctor. When can you take paracetamol during pregnancy and at what dose?
Paracetamol during pregnancy — indications for use
Paracetamol is considered the safest drug to use to treat pain or fever throughout pregnancy. However, remember that it should be taken only temporarily and for the shortest possible time . Paracetamol can be used during pregnancy for ailments such as:
- headache,
- migraine,
- toothache, spine pain, muscle pain,
- kidney stones,
- inflammations,
- flu, cold during pregnancy ,
- postoperative pain associated with fractures, sprains or dislocations.
How much paracetamol can you take during pregnancy?
As already mentioned, the rule for taking paracetamol during pregnancy is to use the drug only temporarily and for as short a time as possible. Paracetamol is considered safe during pregnancy at a dose of 1–4 g per day . This is the standard dose.
Paracetamol is safer during pregnancy than ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid. Remember that:
- 1 tablet of paracetamol usually contains 500 mg of the active substance (there are also products with a higher dose in one tablet — 1000 mg — so read the leaflet!).
- You can take 1–2 tablets (500–1000 mg) of paracetamol at a time during pregnancy.
- Pregnant women can usually take 1–4 g of paracetamol a day, i.e. 2–8 tablets, but it is best to limit the daily dose to a minimum.
The breaks between individual doses should be at least 4 hours!
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Paracetamol during pregnancy — risk for the baby
According to many studies, paracetamol does not have any harmful effects on the fetus , is teratogenic or toxic, and does not increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.
However, it should be remembered that paracetamol is a drug that is relatively easy to overdose . It is found in various preparations, including complex preparations that have different trade names, and as a result, too much of the drug may be accidentally taken.
Paracetamol crosses the placenta (also into breast milk). It should also be remembered that the fetus has limited ability to break down drugs due to the immaturity of the liver, and it is easy to get toxic poisoning if a pregnant woman takes too much paracetamol.
Scientists are also examining paracetamol in terms of the relationship between this substance and the occurrence of, for example, ADHD in children . It has been shown that there is a relationship between the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and the development of ADHD, autism or asthma in a child (based on several studies by scientists of various nationalities). However, it is not known how long or frequent use of the drug may increase the risk.
It is also worth adding that in the FDA (American Food and Drug Administration) drug classification that has been in force for many years , paracetamol is in category B , which means that it is a relatively safe drug for pregnant women. However, any drug used in a long-term and/or frequent manner may affect the health of the child and mother.
Rules for the safe use of medications during pregnancy
The use of medications during pregnancy should always be preceded by a medical consultation. This is a unique period in which a woman’s body functions differently than usual, and at the same time the woman is also responsible for the health of the child. Here are some important rules for the safe use of medications during pregnancy:
- The use of medications should be limited to the minimum necessary. If you don’t have to, don’t take the drug.
- The choice of drug should be preceded by a case analysis, which will be performed only by a doctor.
- The drug is used during pregnancy only when necessary and necessary, when the patient’s health situation requires it and when the risks associated with not taking the drug outweigh the health risks.
- Drugs during pregnancy can be used in the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.
- You should choose medications whose safety is well known.
Do not use medications that have previously caused hypersensitivity reactions in pregnant women.
You should avoid taking several medications at the same time.
It is necessary to read the information contained in the drug leaflet, especially the part regarding use during pregnancy.
Drugs that may have teratogenic effects should not be used.
Drugs that remain in the body for a long time or accumulate in the tissues should not be used.
