Tylenol/acetaminophen is used by over 50% of pregnant women in the US. Most care-providers presume that Tylenol is safe in pregnancy, but it is not completely without harm.
Tylenol use in pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of hyperkinetic disorders and ADHD-like behaviours in children. The risk increases with increased frequency of use, and when Tylenol is used in more than one trimester.
Tylenol also takes a toll on the liver – acetaminophen poisoning (typically doses of 4g per day) now accounts for 42% of cases of acute liver failure.
While it is unlikely that using Tylenol a few times over the course of your pregnancy will cause a problem, these are compelling reasons to explore alternatives for management of headaches, back pain, and pelvic pain.
If you haven’t done so already, and want more evidence-based information for your pregnancy, sign up for my free cheat sheet: 8 shortcuts To A Healthy Pregnancy – and stay up-to-date with more great information and announcements about the My Health Pregnancy Plan program.
In health,
Dr Jocelyn Land-Murphy, ND
Terra Life
Disclaimer: The information and content provided is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefore. Please consult the Disclaimer and Terms of Use for full details.
References:
Larson, A. (2005). Acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure: results of a United States multicenter, prospective study. Hepatology, 42(6): 1364-1372.
Liew, Z. et al. (2014). Acetaminophen use during pregnancy, behavioral problems, and hyperkinetic disorders. JAMA Pediatrics, 168(4): 313-320.