Is It Dangerous To Take Acetaminophen During Pregnancy?
During the pregnancy process, it is necessary to be very careful with what we eat. Certain medications, as well as alcoholic beverages and some foods, can be dangerous to the health of the fetus. Until recently, taking acetaminophen during pregnancy was considered to pose no risk, but recent studies may dispute this fact.
The drug has the ability to cross the placenta and therefore reach the baby. This, in turn, will not be able to metabolize the drug. If acetaminophen is taken in excess during pregnancy, the consequences can be truly catastrophic.
According to the University of Edinburgh, prolonged use of acetaminophen during pregnancy can cause irreversible problems in baby boys. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, in turn, suggests that the psychomotricity of the fetus, regardless of gender, can be affected by the use of analgesics.
Testicular cancer, infertility or abnormal neuronal development are just a few of the risks that babies may be subjecting unknowingly to. It should be the doctor who will indicate when and how to take the medication. His advice and recommendations are most appropriate.
Other risks of taking acetaminophen in pregnancy
There are other types of studies that have linked acetaminophen abuse in pregnancy with future behavior disorders. Institutions such as the University of California and the University of Aarhus prove this information after analyzing tests with samples from up to 64,000 mothers and children.
ADHD Development
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be one of the consequences of overuse of the drug. According to the results of the sample mentioned above, there is a probability of between 13 and 37 percent that the baby will have ADHD.
Premature birth
It can happen, especially in women with pre-eclampsia. It also increases the risk of suffering a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, especially if the pregnant woman has suffered from these diseases before. In these cases, it is really necessary that there is control by the doctor, as the mother’s health may be in danger.
Childhood Asthma and Other Allergies
The risk of having asthma from continued use of acetaminophen in the prenatal period is up to 35 percent higher. Chances are increased if acetaminophen was ingested in the last trimesters of pregnancy.
How do I know what kind of medication I can take?
While your doctor is the best person to provide this information, there are a number of classifications that help us identify which medications are safe during pregnancy. The best known was performed by the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration). This classification groups medications into five different categories, from the lowest to the highest risk for babies.
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– Category A
If a drug is in this classification, you can safely take it. There are no risks for you or the fetus. Several human studies have proven it, so it is completely reliable.
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– Category B
In this case, the researches were carried out on animals and showed no negative effects. They are quite safe medications, although, as with acetaminophen consumption, it is best to consult your doctor.
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– Category C
For this type of drug, there is still not enough information. It is not known if they can be good or bad, so it is recommended not to ingest. Unless the situation is extreme and specific, no pregnant woman should take drugs of this classification.
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– Category D
In category D are the drugs that caused a harmful reaction to the fetus. It should not be taken, except when strictly necessary. There are cases in which the mother’s life depends on the medication and there is no other option.
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– Category X
Its use is totally harmful to the fetus. Several studies and experiments prove, that’s why we should never take this type of medication during pregnancy. Otherwise, we can cause irreversible damage to the embryo.
Although it sounds silly, taking acetaminophen during pregnancy without a prescription can be very dangerous. The same thing happens with most medications, which can cause really serious problems. Both the health of the mother and the baby are at stake. Therefore, we must think before taking any decision that could have irreversible effects.
