Paracetamol has been used by pregnant women for many years without any obvious harmful effects on the developing baby. For this reason paracetamol is usually recommended as the first choice of painkiller for pregnant women.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women can take paracetamol for fever and pain relief, but should stick to the lowest dose of paracetamol for the shortest possible time. According to NHS guidelines, a maximum of 8, 500mg tablets over 24 hours is recommended, with at least 4 hours between each dose.
Paracetamol is one of the few 'relatively safe' medications for treating pain in pregnancy.
Paracetamol is the first choice for antipyretic or analgesic treatment throughout pregnancy.
There is evidence that the fetal liver begins to metabolise paracetamol from 18 weeks gestation onwards, therefore the fetus may also be at risk for hepatotoxicity following maternal paracetamol overdose at and beyond this stage. Maternal treatment of paracetamol overdose should be as for the non-pregnant patient.
With every pregnancy there is a 3 to 5% risk of having a baby with a birth defect. What is Pain? Why treat? When needed, paracetamol is generally considered the safest medication for the short-term treatment of pain or to reduce fever during pregnancy.
Coping with headaches in pregnancy
Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you're pregnant. However, for safety, if you take paracetamol in pregnancy, take it for the shortest possible time. You can get advice from your pharmacist, midwife or GP about how much paracetamol you can take and for how long.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If necessary, Paracetamol 500mg Tables can be used during pregnancy. You should use the lowest possible dose that reduces your pain and/or fever and use it for the shortest time possible.
Ibuprofen is not usually recommended in pregnancy, unless it's prescribed by a doctor, especially if you're more than 30 weeks pregnant. This is because ibuprofen can affect your baby's circulation and kidneys. There may also be a link between taking ibuprofen in early pregnancy and miscarriage.
Paracetamol is known to rapidly cross the placenta and the blood–brain barrier. Placental transfer of paracetamol is most likely through passive diffusion. It is flow-limited and not permeability limited, and there is little evidence that drug transporters in placenta are involved in paracetamol transfer.
The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) family of painkillers (including ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac) are not suitable for use in the third trimester of pregnancy (see below). Other painkillers such as paracetamol and codeine can be safely used at any time during pregnancy.
Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the preferred OTC pain reliever to use during pregnancy. It's considered safe and effective for pain relief in all trimesters. Studies suggest that about 65% of pregnant women take acetaminophen during pregnancy.
Panadol – The GlaxoSmithKline brand name for 500g of Paracetamol . This 500g of Paracetamol is common among all of the panadol range and acts as an analgesic (pain relief) and anti-pyretic (decreases temperature). It contains no anti-inflammatory substances.
Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Taking too much paracetamol can be dangerous and you may need treatment. Too much paracetamol can cause liver damage.
Regular use of NSAIDs such as GRAND-PA during the third trimester of pregnancy, may result in premature closure of the foetal ductus arteriosus in utero, and possibly, in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the new-born. The onset of labour may be delayed and its duration increased.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin should be avoided during pregnancy. You can use paracetamol to help mild to moderate pain during pregnancy.
Current evidence suggests limited risks to unborn babies when paracetamol is taken short term. Timing is also important. Taking paracetamol during the first trimester has been linked to an increased risk of reproductive and urogenital disorders.
If you've taken a one-off dose of ibuprofen before you're 30 weeks pregnant, try not to worry. It's unlikely to harm you or your baby. If you've taken ibuprofen after 30 weeks of pregnancy, let your GP or midwife know as soon as possible .
Still, numerous studies have shown that paracetamol can safely relieve headache and stress while you're pregnant. Make sure that you go for a trusted paracetamol brand like Paracetamol (Biogesic) that provides relief for headache and fever.
Doses of paracetamol should be taken at least 4 hours apart. Don't take more than the recommended dose over a 24-hour period. Check the directions on your medicine package. It should tell you what to do.
Preeclampsia typically occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, but it can come earlier. Most preeclampsia occurs at or near term (37 weeks gestation). Preeclampsia can also come after delivery (postpartum preeclampsia), which usually occurs between the first few days to one week after delivery.
Most pregnant women can safely take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to treat occasional headaches. Your health care provider might recommend other medications as well. Make sure you have the OK from your health care provider before taking any medication, including herbal treatments.
Pre-eclampsia rarely happens before the 20th week of pregnancy. Although less common, the condition can also develop for the first time in the first 4 weeks after birth. Most people only experience mild symptoms, but it's important to manage the condition in case severe symptoms or complications develop.
If your back pain persists, you may want to consult your doctor to see what else you might try. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking pain medications. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is safe for most women to take during pregnancy.