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.
Other painkillers, including those sold over the counter without a prescription have not been shown to be any safer than paracetamol; some are not suitable for use during certain stages of pregnancy. Although it is not possible to say that any medicine is absolutely safe to use in pregnancy, there is currently no good evidence that paracetamol will harm your baby.
It is however generally recommended that women who are pregnant use the lowest dose of paracetamol that works, only for as long as needed. Paracetamol is sold both on its own and in combination with other medications e.g. in cold and flu remedies. It is important to make sure that the other medicines in combination products can be taken in pregnancy and that you do not take more than the daily recommended dose of paracetamol.
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Which Panadol is safe during pregnancy?
What are the alternatives? – The optimal management of pain or fever during pregnancy has not been well studied and treatment options remain limited. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen) have been linked to miscarriage when used in the first trimester, whereas use after 30 weeks’ gestation can negatively impact kidney and heart/lung function in the fetus.
- For this reason non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are best avoided unless advised by a healthcare professional.
- The same goes for strong pain medications such as opioids, which should be reserved for the management of severe pain,
- Paracetamol remains the best choice for the short-term treatment of pain and/or fever during pregnancy.
It is also important to identify the cause of the pain or fever, particularly during pregnancy. Discussions about paracetamol use can lead to further investigation, recommendations for non-medication treatments or the need for different medications. 
Safe options for pain management during pregnancy are limited. Shutterstock Read more: Weight gain during pregnancy: how much is too much?
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What brand of paracetamol is safe for pregnant?
Suffering from a throbbing headache? When you’re pregnant, you can’t just pop any painkiller carelessly. After all, you’re carrying a baby in your belly, which means you have to think not just of your welfare, but your baby’s as well. Certain medicines have adverse effects during the different stages of your pregnancy.
- Some may cause miscarriages, while others may even delay and prolong your labor.
- But if headache and stress are wearing you down and you have tried all other home remedies to no avail, then it’s time for you to look at medicine that you can safely take without fear of harming yourself or your unborn child.
And while you always have to talk to your OB-GYN before taking any medication during pregnancy, here’s a description of three over-the-counter painkillers and their possible effects on you and your baby: 
Aspirin Many people use aspirin as a headache treatment. It is generally not recommended to be taken as a painkiller if you’re pregnant. Taking aspirin in your first trimester can have dire consequences. You’re risking yourself for pregnancy loss, as well as congenital disabilities for your child-to-be.
- Prolonged use during pregnancy can also increase bleeding in the brain, especially for premature infants.
- However, some doctors allow you to take low doses of aspirin if you’re experiencing problems like recurring pregnancy loss, preeclampsia, and clotting disorders.
- Still, you should consult your obstetrician before taking aspirin for these problems.
Ibuprofen Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID traditionally used to manage pain, inflammation, and fever. If you’re pregnant though, taking ibuprofen for headache and stress is a risky move. It is classified as a C drug by the US Food and Drug Administration, which means that there isn’t enough research to determine the safety of the drug for pregnant women.
- For one, ibuprofen can cause premature closure of your baby’s ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel that transports blood into the lungs of the growing fetus.
- If this blood vessel closes early, your baby can develop high blood pressure in the womb.
- Plus, a 2011 study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found out that women who took ibuprofen and other NSAIDs early in their pregnancy are more at risk for miscarriage.
Ibuprofen gets even worse if you take it during your third trimester. There’s evidence that ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can cross the placental barrier and linger in the fetus, causing all kinds of adverse effects on fetal development. Ibuprofen can also reduce the quantity of amniotic fluid, resulting in delayed and extended labor. 
The only possible adverse effect happens when you combine paracetamol with caffeine, Taking in more than 200 mg of caffeine per day together with paracetamol can cause your baby to be born underweight. It might also lead to a miscarriage according to the UK’s National Health Service.
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. And don’t forget to always consult your OB-GYN before taking any medicine during pregnancy.
Paracetamol is the generic name of Biogesic. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR ASC Ref No: U030P061318B | U151P031920BS | U147P092220BS | U151P102820BS
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Can a pregnant woman take Panadol Extra?
Paracetamol-caffeine is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the possible increased risk of spontaneous abortion associated with caffeine consumption.
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Is Panadol 500mg safe during pregnancy?
What are the concerns? – Worldwide, more than 50% of pregnant women use paracetamol to treat pain and/or fever. Paracetamol is the active ingredient in hundreds of prescription and non-prescription products. It has been widely regarded for many years as safe to use during pregnancy.
Some, but not all, observational studies in humans suggest paracetamol use during pregnancy may alter fetal development, The new statement notes that paracetamol has been linked to increased risk of certain neurodevelopmental, reproductive and urogenital disorders, But these studies have limitations.
Researchers have found it hard to distinguish the effects of paracetamol from the effects of underlying illness. And there are potential inaccuracies in recording the amount and timing of paracetamol use across an entire pregnancy as are highlighted in the accompanying editorial,
- Possible risks of paracetamol use in pregnancy are supported by a number of animal studies, the authors say.
- For this reason, caution regarding paracetamol use has been advised until a definitive link can be proven or disproven.
- It’s worth noting the available evidence suggests any possible harms of paracetamol are likely to be dose-related.
As highlighted by the review article, most increased risks have been linked with use in pregnancy for more than two or four weeks, Current evidence suggests limited risks to unborn babies when paracetamol is taken short term. Timing is also important.
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Can I take Panadol for headache during pregnancy?
What can I do to treat a headache when I’m pregnant? – If you have a headache, you could try:
having a nap, or resting with your eyes closed drinking water having something to eat putting a cold or heat pack on your forehead or the back of your neck asking someone to give you a gentle neck massage
If you need to take medicine for pain relief, paracetamol is safe during pregnancy. Pain-relieving medicines can actually cause headaches if you take them too often, so don’t take paracetamol more than 3 times a week. When you’re pregnant, avoid anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or aspirin and medicines that contain caffeine.
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How many Panadol tablet can a pregnant woman take?
Using Panadol in early pregnancy – You may be wondering whether an expecting mother can use Panadol in the early stages of pregnancy (the first 12 weeks). This is a natural concern, since many doctors may recommend that a woman avoid taking any medication during her first trimester of pregnancy.
- The reason for this advice is that the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy is a key stage of development for an unborn baby (during which organs begin to form) and some medications may pose a health risk during these vital weeks.
- Of course, as mentioned above, you should always consult a healthcare professional before you use any medication (including Panadol) no matter what stage of pregnancy you are in.
A over-the-counter pain reliever like Panadol can be particularly helpful if, like many women in the early stages of pregnancy, you are experiencing frequent headaches, since Panadol provides effective temporary relief from headache pain. Headaches are a common symptom during the first trimester of pregnancy, although the exact reason for this isn’t always clear.
- It’s possible that changing hormone levels may be to blame; however, stress, fatigue or a sudden lack of caffeine (for women who’ve had to give up their morning coffee while pregnant) are also all potential causes of headaches in early pregnancy.
- Whatever the reason for your headache, or any other form of mild to moderate pain you might experience while pregnant, Panadol can help to give you some relief.
Again, always be sure to speak with your doctor about taking medication during pregnancy before you use Panadol. How often can you take Panadol when pregnant? Your doctor is the best person to advise you on how often you should take Panadol when pregnant (if at all), and on what may be the right dosage for you.
In most cases, it is still recommended that you only take Panadol for the shortest possible amount of time and in the lowest effective dose. For adults, the usual recommended dose of paracetamol is 1000 mg every four to six hours, with a maximum of 4000 mg in any 24 hour period. Always follow the dosage instructions on the product label when using any form of medication.
If your pain continues despite treatment with Panadol, seek further medical advice before increasing the amount or frequency of your dosage. Discover the full range of Panadol pain relief products today.
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Which painkiller is best for headache during pregnancy?
Coping with headaches in pregnancy – Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you’re pregnant. However, for safety, if you take paracetamol in pregnancy, take it for the shortest possible time. You can get advice from your pharmacist, midwife or GP about how much paracetamol you can take and for how long.
drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydrationget enough sleep – read tiredness and sleep in pregnancy to find out more about thisrest and relax – you could try a pregnancy yoga class, for example
