Paracetamol is Safe During Pregnancy

We understand that over the coming days and weeks, you may see and hear a lot of information about the safety of taking paracetamol during pregnancy. We want to address this directly and offer our reassurance to all of our pregnant patients.

The guidance from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK’s medicines regulator, remains unchanged: paracetamol is a safe and effective pain reliever to use during pregnancy. There is no evidence that taking paracetamol as directed causes autism in children.

We know how much you care about the health of your unborn baby, and it is completely natural to feel concerned when you hear conflicting information. Our purpose in writing this is to clarify the official medical advice and to help you feel confident and reassured.

A recent study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, which has been referenced in some recent discussions, concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend any change to the current guidance on the use of paracetamol in pregnancy. This aligns with the long-standing advice from major health authorities, including the MHRA.

For any pain or fever during pregnancy, paracetamol is considered the first-choice painkiller. It has been used by millions of pregnant people for decades without evidence of causing harm to the baby.

If you are pregnant and experiencing pain or fever, please continue to follow the advice to take paracetamol as needed, ensuring you do not exceed the recommended dose.

We are here to support you. If you have any concerns or questions about your medication or your pregnancy, please do not hesitate to book an appointment to speak with one of our doctors or nurses. Your well-being and the health of your baby are our top priority.