Is paracetamol safe to take during pregnancy?
Yes – paracetamol is safe to use when you're pregnant.
Doctors and NHS experts all agree: there is no proof that taking paracetamol in pregnancy causes autism in children.
Paracetamol is the recommended medicine for pain and fever during pregnancy. It’s safer than other medicines like ibuprofen, which are not usually advised when you're pregnant.
Why is this important?
Pain and fever can be harmful to both you and your baby. That’s why it’s important to treat them safely. Paracetamol helps with this – as long as you take it as advised by the NHS.
What do the experts say?
- The Royal College of Midwives says paracetamol is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) also confirms paracetamol is the best choice for pain relief in pregnancy
- The NHS recommends paracetamol for managing pain and fever when taken correctly.
What does the research say?
A large study from Sweden looked at 2.4 million children born between 1995 and 2019. It included 186,000 pregnancies where mums took paracetamol. The researchers found no link at all between paracetamol and autism.
This study is one of the biggest ever done on this topic – and it gives strong evidence that paracetamol is safe.
What should I do?
- Trust your midwife or doctor – they are trained to give you the best advice
- Don’t switch to other medicines like ibuprofen unless your doctor says it’s okay
- If you’re unsure or worried, talk to your healthcare team.
References: