Calm, expectant mothers: Paracetamol does not harm the baby

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has confirmed that paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, remains a safe choice for treating pain and fever in pregnant women when its use is clinically necessary.

According to the EMA, there is no evidence requiring any change to the current European Union recommendations regarding the use of this medication during pregnancy.

“Paracetamol remains an important option for treating pain or fever during pregnancy,” stated Steffen Thirstrup, Chief Medical Officer of the EMA. He emphasized that current scientific data analyses have not found evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children.

The EMA also noted that available data do not indicate any link between paracetamol use and the risk of malformations in the fetus or newborn.

In 2019, a review of several studies on the neurological development of children exposed to paracetamol during pregnancy concluded that the evidence was unclear and no connection to neurodevelopmental disorders was confirmed.

However, the EMA stresses that paracetamol should only be used when necessary, at the lowest effective dose, for the shortest possible duration, and as infrequently as possible. Pregnant women are advised to always consult their doctor before using any medication during pregnancy.

Regulatory authorities in the European Union will continue to monitor the safety of drugs containing paracetamol and will take immediate action if new data emerge that affect its safety.

“KORÇA BOOM”