Acetaminophen in Pregnancy: Safe and Backed by Science

There are over 20 years of research on the potential impact of the use of acetaminophen (also known by its trade name, Tylenol®) while pregnant. This research has not shown a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism in the children of patients who took this medication while pregnant. 

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG, which oversees all obstetrician/gynecologists in the US) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM, a group within this organization that oversees perinatologists, or doctors managing high-risk pregnancies) have already issued statements regarding the safety of acetaminophen in pregnancy following Monday’s announcement by the Food and Drug Administration. The physicians of Lawrence Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists want to affirm these statements and reassure our patients who may use or have previously used acetaminophen during pregnancy. When used in moderation under the guidance of a physician or provider, Tylenol can safely treat pain and fever during pregnancy. In fact, not treating such conditions could lead to more adverse outcomes for mother and baby. 

Two recent high-quality studies on the topic, published by the Association for Child and Adolescent Health and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), represent the most clinically useful evidence that we have to date that acetaminophen use in pregnancy is safe. They found no significant associations between the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and children’s risk of autism or ADHD. 

To learn more, see ACOG’s frequently asked questions on acetaminophen in pregnancy.