While Panadol and other paracetamol products may be used throughout a pregnancy in most cases, ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory over-the-counter pain relief medication) should be avoided during the entire pregnancy and is not to be taken at all during the third trimester, unless advised by a healthcare professional.
Is it safe to take paracetamol in pregnancy? Paracetamol has been used by pregnant women for many years without any obvious harmful effects on the developing baby. For this reason paracetamol is usually recommended as the first choice of painkiller for pregnant women.
Paracetamol is one of the few 'relatively safe' medications for treating pain in pregnancy. New US research has found an association between prenatal exposure to paracetamol and attention problems and sleep issues in offspring by age three.
This medicine is generally considered safe during pregnancy if taken as directed.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women can take paracetamol for fever and pain relief, but should stick to the lowest dose of paracetamol for the shortest possible time. According to NHS guidelines, a maximum of 8, 500mg tablets over 24 hours is recommended, with at least 4 hours between each dose.
If necessary, Paracetamol 500mg Tables can be used during pregnancy. You should use the lowest possible dose that reduces your pain and/or fever and use it for the shortest time possible.
Primary headaches in pregnant women usually can be treated at home. Rest, a neck or scalp massage, hot or cold packs, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as Tylenol, aspirin, or ibuprofen can reduce the pain.
Paracetamol and pregnancy
Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you're pregnant. It is commonly taken during pregnancy and does not harm your baby.
Paracetamol is the painkiller of choice for use in pregnancy and its use does not require medical supervision. It is not uncommon for women to have used other types of painkiller early in pregnancy before finding out they are pregnant. In general, this type of use is not expected to harm the baby.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin should be avoided during pregnancy. You can use paracetamol to help mild to moderate pain during pregnancy.
There is evidence that the fetal liver begins to metabolise paracetamol from 18 weeks gestation onwards, therefore the fetus may also be at risk for hepatotoxicity following maternal paracetamol overdose at and beyond this stage. Maternal treatment of paracetamol overdose should be as for the non-pregnant patient.
Ibuprofen is not usually recommended in pregnancy, unless it's prescribed by a doctor, especially if you're more than 30 weeks pregnant. This is because ibuprofen can affect your baby's circulation and kidneys. There may also be a link between taking ibuprofen in early pregnancy and miscarriage.
However, paracetamol may affect the pregnant woman and fetus, once this drug crosses the placental barrier after therapeutic doses and may impair fetal liver function, affecting fetus growth and development.
Choosing the Right Pain Relief for You
Panadol products contain paracetamol; do not take them with other medicines that also contain paracetamol. Paracetamol is in many medicines to treat pain, fever, symptoms of cold and flu, and sleep medicines.
Paracetamol for adults Brand names: Disprol, Hedex, Medinol, Panadol.
Most pregnant women can take acetaminophen if their doctor gives them the thumbs-up. It's the most common pain reliever that doctors allow pregnant women to take.
GRAND PA is not recommended for use during pregnancy and is contraindicated during the third trimester of pregnancy (See Contraindications).
Tension headaches are the most common kind of headache in pregnant women. It can feel like someone is trying to squish your head like a watermelon. If you carry your stress in your shoulders and neck, you may be more susceptible to this kind of headache.
Although migraine headaches may cause severe pain for the mother, there are no dangers for the developing fetus.
Headaches during pregnancy may be triggered by poor sleep, stress, dehydration, low blood sugar or eye strain. If your headache doesn't settle with simple measures (for example, rest and rehydration), you can take paracetamol.
Still, numerous studies have shown that paracetamol can safely relieve headache and stress while you're pregnant. Make sure that you go for a trusted paracetamol brand like Paracetamol (Biogesic) that provides relief for headache and fever.
If clinically needed, paracetamol can be used during pregnancy if clinically needed, however, as with any medicine it should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Paracetamol is excreted in breast milk but not in a clinically significant amount in recommended dosages.
There was no obvious relationship between the time of exposure and the time of delivery. The overall conclusion is that paracetamol overdose per se is not an indication for termination of pregnancy.
Call your provider if you have a fever. Most pregnant people can take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) to lower their temperature. Cooling blankets also may help. If the cause of the fever is a bacterial infection, you may be prescribed an antibiotic.