Following a recent US announcement, the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued a drug safety update on the use of paracetamol in pregnancy.
Patients should be reminded and reassured that there is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children. Paracetamol is recommended as the first-choice pain reliever for pregnant women, used at the lowest dose and for the shortest duration. It also acts as an antipyretic and is therefore used to treat fever.
Patients should not stop taking their pain medicines as untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn child.
Advice for healthcare professionals
- There is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children
- Pregnant women should be advised to continue to follow existing NHS guidance and speak to their healthcare professional if they have questions about any medication during pregnancy
- Untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn baby, so it is important that patients continue to manage these symptoms with the recommended treatment. If pain or fever does not resolve, patients are advised to seek advice from their healthcare professional
- Patients should not swap to alternatives such as ibuprofen. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are generally not recommended during pregnancy
- Recent existing studies do not show a causal association between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism. There are many potential contributing factors in the development of autism, including but not limited to concomitant diseases and family inheritance
For full information, refer to the drug safety update.
The Department of Health and Social Care has also issued a factsheet which includes Q&A.
