Show Use of Pain Medicine During Early Pregnancy May Be Related To Birth DefectsA study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that women who took NSAIDs and opioid pain medicines during early pregnancy were more likely to have babies affected with certain birth defects compared with women who took acetaminophen. However, more research is needed to understand whether the risk of birth defects is related to the medicine or to the conditions that they are being used to treat. More research is also needed to understand which medicines are the safest treatment options for pain management during various stages of pregnancy. Read the scientific summary (abstract) of the research.external icon Main Findings
About This Study
About Birth DefectsBirth defects are common, costly, and critical conditions that affect 1 in every 33 babies born in the United States each year. Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part or parts of the body (such as the heart, brain, face, arms, and legs). They may affect how the body looks, works, or both. Our WorkCDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) is working to improve the health of women and babies through its Treating for Two: Safer Medication Use in Pregnancy initiative. Through Treating for Two, CDC is working with its partners, other federal agencies, and the public to understand trends in medication use among pregnant women and women of reproductive age and to provide women and healthcare providers with information about the safety or risk of using specific medications during pregnancy. This information will allow women and their doctors to make informed decisions about treating health conditions during pregnancy. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/treatingfortwo.
More Information
Key Findings ReferenceInterrante, JD, Ailes, EC, Lind, JN, Anderka, M, Feldkamp, ML, Werler, MM, Taylor, LG, Trinidad, J, Gilboa, SM, Broussard, CS, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Risk comparison for prenatal use of analgesics and selected birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study 1997-2011. Annals of Epidemiology. 2017. Can you take Tylenol or ibuprofen when pregnant?Acetaminophen (the main ingredient in Tylenol) is safe for moms-to-be when used as directed. However, you should avoid aspirin and ibuprofen (found in Advil, Motrin, and Nuprin).
Which painkiller is safe in pregnancy?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.
Is Tylenol OK to take while pregnant?Acetaminophen, also called paracetamol, is a mild pain-relieving drug commonly found in over-the-counter pain and cold medications such as Tylenol. It has generally been considered safe to use during pregnancy.
|