Pregnancy is associated with pain and increased fear of what we build into the body. A recent article in ‘Nature Reviews Endocrinology’ urges caution when taking paracetamol during pregnancy. It is a declaration of consensus generated by an analysis by a panel of experts who examined the evidence from human and animal studies on its use in pregnancy.
This suggests that short-term use of paracetamol remains a safe drug to treat pain and fever during pregnancy. However, it should be discussed with health professionals and used in the lowest effective dose and for the shortest possible duration.
Non-drug therapies to treat pain or fever should be tried in addition to paracetamol. The authors call for better education of doctors and patients about the use of paracetamol in pregnancy and further research. Taking paracetamol during pregnancy can alter the development of the foetus, the authors say, which could have a lasting impact on the child’s health.