Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Much Is Safe?Safety ConcernsTylenol AlternativesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Much Is Safe?
Safety Concerns
Tylenol Alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Tylenol (acetaminophen)is generally safe to take for pain and fever during pregnancy as long as you don’t exceed the maximum dose mentioned on the package label. Tylenol is often the safest option for over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief during pregnancy, and it is generally recommended over other analgesics.
As a best practice, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Tylenol or any medication while pregnant.
This article will discuss the safety profile of Tylenol when taken during pregnancy.
Getty Images /Bloomberg/ Contributor
How Much Tylenol Is Safe to Take While Pregnant?
If you are pregnant, it is generally safe to take a regular Tylenol dosage of two tablets or capsules of 325 milligrams (mg) each every four to six hours.
Do not take more than 10 tablets or capsules daily (3,250 mg), even if your symptoms haven’t resolved.
Check the package label to determine the appropriate dose, and talk to your healthcare provider to ensure the medication is safe for you.
Is Tylenol (Acetaminophen) an NSAID?
Can I Take Tylenol Extra Strength While Pregnant?
Tylenol Extra Strengthis also considered safe during pregnancy. However, keep in mind that it does contain a more acetaminophen per dose than regular Tylenol, so fewer doses are needed.
Upon your healthcare provider’s approval, Tylenol Extra Strength can be taken at the recommended adult dose of two 500 mg caplets every six hours while symptoms last. Do not take more than six caplets in 24 hours to prevent toxicity due to overdose.
Can I Take Other Acetaminophen-Containing Drugs While Pregnant?
Other medications that contain Tylenol’s active ingredient, acetaminophen, such as Tylenol PM, Tylenol Cold and Flu, and Tylenol Sinus—as well as other brands and generics of acetaminophen—are also available. These products contain a combination of acetaminophen with other medications to help manage various conditions in addition to pain or fever. If you are pregnant, you may be able to take these medications as long as all of the ingredients are deemed safe for pregnancy.
If you’re looking for a combination product, check the ingredients on the package label first to ensure all of the components within the medication are safe to take while pregnant.
Tylenol PM contains acetaminophen and diphenhydramine (an allergy medication that is also known asBenadryl), which are both considered safe during pregnancy for short-term use. No more than two Tylenol PM caplets should be taken per day at bedtime.
Tylenol Cold and Flu is another product that contains acetaminophen with other medications for cough, including dextromethorphan and guanfacine, in addition tophenylephrinefor congestion.However, phenylephrine may not be a good choice, especially during the first trimester. In some studies, phenylephrine has been linked to potential birth defects.
Tylenol Sinus is another combination product that contains acetaminophen with other drugs, such as guanfacine and phenylephrine. Since phenylephrine can cause potential harm, Tylenol Sinus should be avoided.
It is important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any of these agents. For information about ingredients in individual or combination products, you can check the active ingredients list on the package label.
Are There Any Safety Concerns With Tylenol Use During Pregnancy?
As long as you follow the dosage instructions and only use it as needed, there are no safety concerns with taking Tylenol while pregnant. Still, like all medications, Tylenol’s label advises anyone who is pregnant to consult a healthcare provider before using it.
A few studies have evaluated potential negative effects on neurological development,asthma, and male reproductive development, but these studies have not proven any association between acetaminophen and these conditions.
A 2019 study suggests in utero exposure to acetaminophen use during pregnancy may lead to a higher risk ofautism spectrum disorderand/orattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)developing in childhood. The study looked at potential associations between cord plasma acetaminophen metabolites and diagnosed ADHD and/or ASD in childhood.
Another study suggests that short-term use of acetaminophen in pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of ADHD in childhood. However, the trial indicated long-term use (22 to 28 days) may be associated with ADHD.
Still, more research is needed to clarify the possible connection between these conditions and Tylenol use, as many of the current studies have limitations.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists maintains that Tylenol is still one of the safest pain relievers during pregnancy.It is generally recommended to only use Tylenol as needed and at the lowest effective dose for a short time.
Tylenol can causeliver damageif taken in quantities exceeding 4,000 mg per day. Signs and symptoms of liver damage from Tylenol toxicity may include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.
Alternatives to Tylenol While Pregnant
Tylenol is generally considered the safest option during pregnancy for pain and fever.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as Motrin orAdvil (ibuprofen)and Aleve (naproxen) for pain, are not considered as safe as Tylenol. However, they may be used up until 20 weeks of gestation. Use of NSAIDs later than 20 weeks of gestation can potentially cause kidney issues in the fetus.
What Cold Medicine Can I Take During Pregnancy?
Summary
Generally, Tylenol is safe to take during pregnancy, as long as you are using the recommended dose and taking it only as needed.
When pregnant, ask your healthcare provider which medications are and are not safe to take at each gestational stage. You can do this at one of your routine visits or call your provider’s office if you have a question about a specific medication. Reading the medication’s label is also another way to find safety information.
While Tylenol is safe to take while pregnant, be wary of combination products also containing acetaminophen and make sure to check all of the ingredients listed. Some medications may not be safe during pregnancy. Therefore, check with your healthcare provider to evaluate your condition before considering treatment.
You may take a maximum adult dose of 4,000 mg per day of acetaminophen, assuming you have no contraindications (reasons that prevent you from using it) or conditions needing dose adjustments. It is important to track the total amount of acetaminophen taken daily to prevent drug toxicity and overdose.
Tylenol is generally the safest analgesic to use during pregnancy. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any medications to ensure it is the best option for you.
Do not take NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin, especially after 20 weeks of gestation, to prevent kidney damage in the fetus. If you are unsure about any products and their contents, consider asking your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
You can consider checking the package label under “directions” to find dosing recommendations. You can also check for information about the maximum daily dose under the warning section. For any incidence of overdose, you can get medical help or callPoison Controlright away at 800-222-1222.
It is best to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any medications. Tylenol is usually used to treat pain and fever. Some combination medications that include Tylenol may be used to manage other conditions.
Any medication has the potential to cause allergies, so it is important to ask your healthcare provider and check the package label for a list of ingredients. An allergic reaction may cause redness in the skin, rash, and/or blisters. Tylenol is usually well tolerated, but it is important to watch out for any potential allergies, especially during pregnancy.
The author would like to recognize and thank Ghassan Alyaseen for contributing to this article.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Regular Strength label.Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Extra Strength label.Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol PM label.Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Cold and Flu label.Yau WP, Mitchell AA, Lin KJ, Werler MM, Hernández-Díaz S.Use of decongestants during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects.Am J Epidemiol. 2013;178(2):198-208. doi:10.1093/aje/kws427Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Sinus Severe label.The America College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG response to consensus statement on paracetamol use during pregnancy.Kang EM, Lundsberg LS, Illuzzi JL, Bracken MB.Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and asthma in children.Obstet Gynecol. 2009;114(6):1295-1306. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181c225c0Ji Y, Azuine RE, Zhang Y, et al.Association of cord plasma biomarkers of in utero acetaminophen exposure with risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in childhood.JAMA Psychiatry.2020;77(2):180-189. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3259Ystrom E, Gustavson K, Brandlistuen RE, et al.Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and risk of ADHD.Pediatrics. 2017;140(5):e20163840. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-3840Yoon E, Babar A, Choudhary M, Kutner M, Pyrsopoulos N.Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: a comprehensive update.J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2016;4(2):131-142. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2015.00052Food and Drug Administration.FDA recommends avoiding use of NSAIDs in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later because they can result in low amniotic fluid.Sznajder KK, Teti DM, Kjerulff KH. Maternal use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and neurobehavioral problems in offspring at 3 years: A prospective cohort study.PLoS One. 2022;17(9):e0272593. Published 2022 Sep 28.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272593
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Regular Strength label.Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Extra Strength label.Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol PM label.Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Cold and Flu label.Yau WP, Mitchell AA, Lin KJ, Werler MM, Hernández-Díaz S.Use of decongestants during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects.Am J Epidemiol. 2013;178(2):198-208. doi:10.1093/aje/kws427Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Sinus Severe label.The America College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG response to consensus statement on paracetamol use during pregnancy.Kang EM, Lundsberg LS, Illuzzi JL, Bracken MB.Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and asthma in children.Obstet Gynecol. 2009;114(6):1295-1306. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181c225c0Ji Y, Azuine RE, Zhang Y, et al.Association of cord plasma biomarkers of in utero acetaminophen exposure with risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in childhood.JAMA Psychiatry.2020;77(2):180-189. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3259Ystrom E, Gustavson K, Brandlistuen RE, et al.Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and risk of ADHD.Pediatrics. 2017;140(5):e20163840. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-3840Yoon E, Babar A, Choudhary M, Kutner M, Pyrsopoulos N.Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: a comprehensive update.J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2016;4(2):131-142. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2015.00052Food and Drug Administration.FDA recommends avoiding use of NSAIDs in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later because they can result in low amniotic fluid.Sznajder KK, Teti DM, Kjerulff KH. Maternal use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and neurobehavioral problems in offspring at 3 years: A prospective cohort study.PLoS One. 2022;17(9):e0272593. Published 2022 Sep 28.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272593
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Regular Strength label.Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Extra Strength label.Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol PM label.Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Cold and Flu label.Yau WP, Mitchell AA, Lin KJ, Werler MM, Hernández-Díaz S.Use of decongestants during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects.Am J Epidemiol. 2013;178(2):198-208. doi:10.1093/aje/kws427Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Sinus Severe label.The America College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG response to consensus statement on paracetamol use during pregnancy.Kang EM, Lundsberg LS, Illuzzi JL, Bracken MB.Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and asthma in children.Obstet Gynecol. 2009;114(6):1295-1306. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181c225c0Ji Y, Azuine RE, Zhang Y, et al.Association of cord plasma biomarkers of in utero acetaminophen exposure with risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in childhood.JAMA Psychiatry.2020;77(2):180-189. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3259Ystrom E, Gustavson K, Brandlistuen RE, et al.Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and risk of ADHD.Pediatrics. 2017;140(5):e20163840. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-3840Yoon E, Babar A, Choudhary M, Kutner M, Pyrsopoulos N.Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: a comprehensive update.J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2016;4(2):131-142. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2015.00052Food and Drug Administration.FDA recommends avoiding use of NSAIDs in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later because they can result in low amniotic fluid.Sznajder KK, Teti DM, Kjerulff KH. Maternal use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and neurobehavioral problems in offspring at 3 years: A prospective cohort study.PLoS One. 2022;17(9):e0272593. Published 2022 Sep 28.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272593
Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Regular Strength label.
Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Extra Strength label.
Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol PM label.
Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Cold and Flu label.
Yau WP, Mitchell AA, Lin KJ, Werler MM, Hernández-Díaz S.Use of decongestants during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects.Am J Epidemiol. 2013;178(2):198-208. doi:10.1093/aje/kws427
Food and Drug Administration.Tylenol Sinus Severe label.
The America College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG response to consensus statement on paracetamol use during pregnancy.
Kang EM, Lundsberg LS, Illuzzi JL, Bracken MB.Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and asthma in children.Obstet Gynecol. 2009;114(6):1295-1306. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181c225c0
Ji Y, Azuine RE, Zhang Y, et al.Association of cord plasma biomarkers of in utero acetaminophen exposure with risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in childhood.JAMA Psychiatry.2020;77(2):180-189. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3259
Ystrom E, Gustavson K, Brandlistuen RE, et al.Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and risk of ADHD.Pediatrics. 2017;140(5):e20163840. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-3840
Yoon E, Babar A, Choudhary M, Kutner M, Pyrsopoulos N.Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: a comprehensive update.J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2016;4(2):131-142. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2015.00052
Food and Drug Administration.FDA recommends avoiding use of NSAIDs in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later because they can result in low amniotic fluid.
Sznajder KK, Teti DM, Kjerulff KH. Maternal use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and neurobehavioral problems in offspring at 3 years: A prospective cohort study.PLoS One. 2022;17(9):e0272593. Published 2022 Sep 28.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272593
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