24/09/2025
Recent statements about acetaminophen (panadol, tylenol, cetamol, febrex etc) have caused much unwarranted distress
Most medical organisations around the world have already responded that it remains safe
If you are pregnant you should be under care of a medical practitioner anyhow
This medical practitioner will assess you if you have a fever and determine the appropriate treatment based on the cause of that fever
That may include acetaminophen...
It may include something else
Get assessed
But acetaminophen SHOULD always be recommended for the shortest possible duration and dose in pregnant patients anyhow
To those still worried... Maybe take a read of this from an official US Government Site about fever itself:
The National Library of Medicine factsheets on FEVER in pregnancy states:
"Does having a FEVER increase the chance of birth defects?"
: "Several studies have reported a small chance for birth defects called neural tube defects (NTDs) in babies of people WHO HAD FEVERS before the 6th week of pregnancy
A few studies have reported a small increased chance for other birth defects when FEVER occurs in early pregnancy (before week 12), ESPECIALLY IF THE FEVER IS UNTREATED! These include heart defects, abdominal wall defects or cleft lip and/or cleft palate"
"Does having a FEVER in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?"
: "A few studies have reported a small increased chance for problems such as attention deficit disorder (ADHD) and autism when a person had a FEVER in pregnancy, ESPECIALLY IF THE FEVER WAS UNTREATED"
LEAVING FEVER UNTREATED IS DANGEROUS!
Get assessed and get treated!
