The obstetricians at Athens ObGyn want to help women understand the information they may have heard or will be hearing about taking Tylenol during pregnancy. The Department of Health and Human Services announced that using acetaminophen, which is the ingredient in Tylenol and other generic over-the-counter medications, causes autism. Our physicians agree with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) announcement that states that there is no connection between acetaminophen and autism.
Steven J. Fleischman, MD, MBA, FACOG, the president of ACOG, issued a lengthy statement about the safety of acetaminophen usage during pregnancy. For the full statement, go to ACOG Affirms Safety and Benefits of Acetaminophen During Pregnancy | ACOG. Here is the statement, in part.
“Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians, but also irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients, including those who may need to rely on this beneficial medicine during pregnancy.”
In its statement, ACOG emphasizes that there is not a “full body of scientific evidence” to back up these claims about taking Tylenol during pregnancy. Two of the “highest quality studies” found “…no significant associations between use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and children’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.”
Tylenol, or acetaminophen, is one of the only safe medications pregnant women can take for fever, headaches and other pain. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to health issues for mothers-to-be.
ACOG states, “When considering the use of medication in pregnancy, it’s important to consider all potential risks, along with any benefits. The data from numerous studies have shown that acetaminophen plays an important – and safe – role in the well-being of pregnant women.”
For more answers to questions about taking Tylenol during pregnancy, go to Acetaminophen in Pregnancy | ACOG.
The physicians at Athens ObGyn do not recommend “toughing it out” for fevers and pain during pregnancy. Instead, patients should contact us if they have questions about Tylenol during pregnancy or whether there is a connection between acetaminophen and autism. We are here to keep mothers and babies safe and healthy before, during and after pregnancy.