The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved acetaminophen for use in pregnancy. However, a new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics says that women who took acetaminophen during pregnancy were more likely to have children with ADHD and other hyperactivity disorders.
It is important to remember that all medications are different. Therefore, talk to your doctor before making any changes. Tylenol is the topmost over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer used during pregnancy. It’s also one of the most commonly reported medicines that can result in birth defects if taken by an unborn child during pregnancy.
What Is Tylenol?
Tylenol is a brand name for acetaminophen, which is an over-the-counter pain reliever used to treat fevers, headaches, and other minor aches and pains. Acetaminophen has also been found to be safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Even though you can buy it at the drugstore without a prescription, this doesn’t mean that it’s risk-free during pregnancy.
Because of the lack of research on Tylenol’s safety during pregnancy, some experts recommend avoiding using it unless you absolutely need it, especially in large doses or if you’ve been taking it regularly before becoming pregnant.
In general, acetaminophen is considered safe to use during pregnancy. This is because it’s been used in medicine for years, and there haven’t been any major adverse effects reported. However, there are some risks associated with this drug that are not immediately apparent.
Why Do Pregnant Women Take Tylenol?
In fact, around 40 to 65 percent of women use acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, during pregnancy for pain management. Acetaminophen is also thought to reduce inflammation in joints, muscles, and blood vessels, which may help reduce swelling during pregnancy as well as after birth.
Acetaminophen is safe to take during pregnancy, but you should follow the directions on your particular brand and only use it as directed. If you’re unsure of how much Tylenol is safe for you, talk with your doctor about what’s appropriate for your situation.
Taking Tylenol While Pregnant May Cause ADHD in Your Unborn Children
Tylenol is a pain reliever that contains acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol and many other over-the-counter medicines and prescription pain relievers. It’s safe for pregnant women to take it when needed, but there’s evidence to suggest it can cause ADHD in unborn children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an advisory about this after research showed that exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy may be associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 7–9 years old.
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has observed a 42% increase in the past 8 years. The major symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These three symptoms usually appear before 7 years of age and can continue into adulthood.
The main symptoms of ADHD include
- Inattention: Lack of close attention to details or making careless mistakes
- Hyperactivity: Has difficulty remaining seated, runs about or climbs excessively when sitting, and often talks excessively
- Impulsivity: Disrupts others and blurts out answers before questions have been completed
Tylenol Manufacturer Johnson & Johnson Has Been Battling Lawsuits for Years
Tylenol manufacturer Johnson & Johnson has been battling lawsuits for years. The company has had to pay out millions in settlements over their talc products, which were linked to cancer and asbestos exposure.
The company paid $4.69 million after it was discovered that they had known about asbestos fibers in some of their baby powder products since before 1972 but did not issue warnings until they faced lawsuits from the plaintiffs.
In March 2019, J&J was ordered to pay $4.7 billion in damages to 22 women who claimed that decades of using their talc products caused them to develop ovarian cancer. The company has fought the lawsuit since 2016, insisting that there is no link between talc and cancer.
There Are a Number of Lawsuits Involving Tylenol as Well
But, there are a number of lawsuits involving Tylenol as well. The plaintiff in a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, the makers of Tylenol, is suing the company for their role in ADHD-related problems that occur during pregnancy. The plaintiff’s claim is that she took acetaminophen while pregnant, which caused her daughter to develop ADHD. As such, she wants to be compensated for all of the damages related to her daughter’s condition and any future treatment that may be required as a result.
You can also file a lawsuit if your child has been diagnosed with ADHD and you believe their condition was caused by taking acetaminophen during their mother’s pregnancy. Based on the estimates of prominent law firms, a Tylenol ADHD lawsuit payout can fetch you somewhere between USD 50,000 to 500,000.
Mothers-To-Be Should Avoid Tylenol During Pregnancy if Possible
If you’re pregnant and taking Tylenol for pain relief, it’s important to talk with a doctor about other options. There are several effective methods of managing a fever without causing harm to your baby.
If you are pregnant and have a toothache, try rinsing your mouth with warm salt water before bed. Also, try chewing on an ice cube or finding a cold drink that will satisfy your thirst without giving you too much sugar or caffeine, both of which are linked to ADHD.
As far as reducing inflammation goes, there are many ways for pregnant women who suffer from joint issues because they are carrying around such a large amount of extra weight early on in their pregnancies.
One option might be to take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication like Advil since they don’t seem dangerous for developing fetuses when used occasionally. If this doesn’t work, then talk with your doctor about other options, such as physical therapy sessions, so that both mommy and baby will feel better soon enough.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that there are other factors at play here, too. Acetaminophen is just one of several medications that have been linked to ADHD. While we wait for more studies on this topic and more information from the FDA, it may be best for mothers-to-be if they can avoid taking acetaminophen during pregnancy altogether.
