Taking paracetamol while pregnant is safe and there's no evidence it raises the risk of autism, ADHD and developmental issues in children, say experts behind a major new review. Pregnant women should feel reassured by the findings, they say, which contradict controversial claims from US President Donald Trump last year that paracetamol is no good and pregnant women should fight like hell not to take it.
His views were criticized at the time by medical organisations worldwide. Experts say this latest review, in a Lancet journal, is rigorous and should end the debate over its safety.
But US health officials maintain that many experts have expressed concern over its use during pregnancy. The US President shocked many doctors worldwide when he and his administration claimed paracetamol or a branded version called Tylenol - which is seen as the go-to painkiller for pregnant women - could be linked to autism in children, if taken during pregnancy.
Those claims led to confusion among women and concern among health experts, prompting this new research. Published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health, it reviewed 43 of the most robust studies into paracetamol use during pregnancy, involving hundreds of thousands of women, particularly comparing pregnancies where the mother had taken the drug to those where she hadn't.
Using high-quality sibling studies allowed researchers to dismiss other factors like different genes and family environments, making their review gold-standard. Researchers found no links and concluded that there is no evidence indicating paracetamol increases the risk of autism. Lead study author Professor Asma Khalil stated, The message is clear – paracetamol remains a safe option during pregnancy when taken as guided.
This reinforces guidance from major medical organisations in the UK, US, and Europe on the common painkiller's safety. Previous reports linking the drug to autism are likely attributed to other factors rather than a direct effect of paracetamol itself.
Medical experts not involved in the study welcomed its findings, stating it would help reduce worry among women. Prof Grainne McAlonnan from King's College London emphasized that expectant mothers need not stress about whether the commonly used headache medicine could adversely affect their child's health.
Notably, a spokesman from the US Department of Health and Human Services acknowledged that many experts had raised concerns over acetaminophen's use during pregnancy. Recent reviews led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health were cited, which found potential connections to increased autism and ADHD risk and urged caution regarding heavy or prolonged use.
Despite this, UK health officials stress paracetamol remains the safest pain relief option for pregnant women, highlighting that the research supports safe medication use during critical periods of pregnancy.
His views were criticized at the time by medical organisations worldwide. Experts say this latest review, in a Lancet journal, is rigorous and should end the debate over its safety.
But US health officials maintain that many experts have expressed concern over its use during pregnancy. The US President shocked many doctors worldwide when he and his administration claimed paracetamol or a branded version called Tylenol - which is seen as the go-to painkiller for pregnant women - could be linked to autism in children, if taken during pregnancy.
Those claims led to confusion among women and concern among health experts, prompting this new research. Published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health, it reviewed 43 of the most robust studies into paracetamol use during pregnancy, involving hundreds of thousands of women, particularly comparing pregnancies where the mother had taken the drug to those where she hadn't.
Using high-quality sibling studies allowed researchers to dismiss other factors like different genes and family environments, making their review gold-standard. Researchers found no links and concluded that there is no evidence indicating paracetamol increases the risk of autism. Lead study author Professor Asma Khalil stated, The message is clear – paracetamol remains a safe option during pregnancy when taken as guided.
This reinforces guidance from major medical organisations in the UK, US, and Europe on the common painkiller's safety. Previous reports linking the drug to autism are likely attributed to other factors rather than a direct effect of paracetamol itself.
Medical experts not involved in the study welcomed its findings, stating it would help reduce worry among women. Prof Grainne McAlonnan from King's College London emphasized that expectant mothers need not stress about whether the commonly used headache medicine could adversely affect their child's health.
Notably, a spokesman from the US Department of Health and Human Services acknowledged that many experts had raised concerns over acetaminophen's use during pregnancy. Recent reviews led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health were cited, which found potential connections to increased autism and ADHD risk and urged caution regarding heavy or prolonged use.
Despite this, UK health officials stress paracetamol remains the safest pain relief option for pregnant women, highlighting that the research supports safe medication use during critical periods of pregnancy.
