How much tylenol can a pregnant woman take

While you are pregnant, you may also have other common problems, like a cold, mild headache, backache, mild fever, or the flu, that are not caused by your pregnancy. These minor symptoms generally do not cause problems or hurt your baby. In general, doctors say it is usually safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever and pain.

Be sure to follow these non-prescription medication precautions.

  • Acetaminophen can be found in many forms and comes in different doses.
  • Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • Do not take more than the maximum dose recommended on the label.
  • Be careful when taking over-the-counter cold or flu medicines and acetaminophen (Tylenol) at the same time. Many of these medicines already contain acetaminophen. Too much acetaminophen can be harmful.
  • Do not use other non-prescription medicines, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), until you have talked with your health professional.

  • Fever During Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy-Related Problems

Credits

Current as of:
June 16, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
H. Michael O'Connor MD - Emergency Medicine
Kirtly Jones MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

Current as of: June 16, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor MD - Emergency Medicine & Kirtly Jones MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

How much tylenol can a pregnant woman take

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Consider taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a fever or pain while pregnant. But first check in with your doctor or midwife. In fact, always talk with your healthcare provider before taking any medications – prescription or over-the-counter – when you're pregnant.

Learn why it's important to bring down a high fever during pregnancy.

Acetaminophen is considered the safest over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer to take when you're pregnant. It's available in liquid, capsules, tablets, and suppositories. Between 40 and 65 percent of pregnant women use acetaminophen at some time during their pregnancy, most often for headache and fever.

It's a good idea to take the lowest dose you can to get the job done (reduce your fever or take the edge off that headache), and make sure you never exceed the maximum daily dose. Keep in mind that acetaminophen also shows up in combination with other medications, such as those used to treat colds, headaches, and the flu – so be sure to include those amounts in your daily tally. Remember, too, that the other medications in these multi-symptom formulas may not be safe to take during pregnancy.

What are the risks of taking Tylenol while pregnant?

No medication is considered 100 percent safe to take during pregnancy. But acetaminophen has been widely used for decades, and extensive research shows that it's safe to take during pregnancy. It has not been shown to increase the chance for miscarriage or birth defects.

Of course, it's important to take the right dose. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver and kidney damage and anemia in pregnant women and their babies.

There's no high-quality conclusive evidence in humans that acetaminophen – when taken correctly – increases the risk of other problems, though researchers are studying whether taking acetaminophen during pregnancy might lead to:

Behavioral problems

Some animal studies suggest that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy – particularly in large amounts or in late pregnancy – might be connected to behavioral problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The FDA (in 2015) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (in 2017) assessed a number of studies and concluded that the evidence of risk for a connection between acetaminophen and ADHD was inconclusive.

A later (2017) study of almost 113,000 children in Norway found an increased risk of ADHD when women took acetaminophen for more than 29 days during pregnancy. However, the researchers also found that paternal use of acetaminophen was associated with ADHD, pointing perhaps to another cause for the increased risk. The researchers concluded that they didn't have definitive evidence for or against a causal relation between maternal use of acetaminophen and ADHD.

An analysis of studies including over 132,000 mothers and their children published in 2018 concluded that acetaminophen use during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for ADHD, ASD, and hyperactivity symptoms. The researchers cautioned that all of the evidence was observational (based on data remembered and reported by participants) and susceptible to bias.

Asthma

Some studies have suggested a link between taking acetaminophen in pregnancy and wheezing or asthma in children. But the link may be due to factors other than the medication itself.

A recent Swedish study of almost half a million mothers and their children found an association between childhood asthma/wheezing and acetaminophen use in pregnancy, but the researchers concluded that the association is not causal. In other words, the acetaminophen does not cause the childhood symptoms, though women taking acetaminophen during pregnancy are more likely to have children who develop asthma. Other factors (such as fever, chronic pain, or anxiety in the mother who took the acetaminophen) may be responsible.

Cryptorchidism

In this condition, one or both testicles don't descend, and some research indicates that exposure to acetaminophen – especially during the second trimester and for more than four weeks – makes it more likely for boys to be born with cryptorchidism. More studies are needed to confirm and explore possible reasons for the association.

Experts don't believe these possible risks are any reason not to take acetaminophen if you need pain relief – or to reduce a fever – during pregnancy, but talk with your healthcare provider, especially if you need it frequently.

Should certain women avoid acetaminophen during pregnancy all together?

Most women can take acetaminophen during pregnancy, but there are specific instances when it should be limited or completely avoided.

If you have hepatitis A, B, or C, your healthcare provider probably will recommend you take no more than 2 grams (four 500 mg tablets) of acetaminophen a day – and only for a few days.

Do not take acetaminophen at all if you have advanced, complicated cirrhosis (scarring of the liver due to disease).

What are some natural ways to relieve pain during pregnancy?

Sometimes you can get past minor or moderate pain with natural methods, such as:

  • A warm bath or shower. Warm water can help alleviate minor muscle pain. Don't make the water too hot.
  • Ice. Apply an ice pack to an injured area to help reduce inflammation and numb pain. Use a layer between the ice and your skin so you don't damage your skin, and only leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
  • Heat. Apply a heating pad to an injured area to soothe sore muscles. Don't make it too hot, and don't apply directly to your abdomen.
  • Exercise. Getting your body moving can release endorphins – hormones that can help you better cope with pain. Stretching your spine and muscles and ligaments may help alleviate some of the pain and tension.
  • Massage. A massage therapist who's experienced treating pregnant women may help relieve stress and pain in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
  • Meditation, relaxation, and guided imagery. Training your mind and body to translate and cope with pain differently may be useful.
  • Sleep. Your body heals during sleep and your mind rests so that you'll be better able to tolerate pain.

Find out what aches and pains you're likely to face, along with some tips for dealing with them in our roundup of common pregnancy aches and pains.

Can I take a Tylenol 500 while pregnant?

Acetaminophen, also called paracetamol, is a mild pain-relieving drug commonly found in over-the-counter pain and cold medications such as Tylenol. It has generally been considered safe to use during pregnancy.

How much Tylenol is too much pregnant?

Taking Tylenol Extra Strength While Pregnant If regular Tylenol doesn't relieve minor discomforts, Extra Strength is also okay to use, according to Roshan—but he cautions that neither should be taken above the daily recommended intake of acetaminophen, which is 3,000 mg a day, unless directed by your doctor.

Can taking too much Tylenol while pregnant hurt the baby?

Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage, kidney damage, and anemia (low iron in the blood) in a person who is pregnant. It has also been reported to cause the same problems in the baby.

Can I take a Tylenol 1 while pregnant?

In most cases, Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a safe choice to treat pain during pregnancy. Newer studies have raised questions about the safety of taking Tylenol during pregnancy. But the FDA and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) still recommend Tylenol as a safe medication while pregnant.