The Basics
What is Acetaminophen?
Used to treat mild to moderate pain (from headaches, menstrual periods, toothaches, backaches, osteoarthritis, or cold/flu aches and pains) and to reduce fever.
Brand names for Acetaminophen
Tylenol
How Acetaminophen is classified
Analgesics – Non-Narcotic
Acetaminophen During Pregnancy
Acetaminophen pregnancy category
Category BNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Acetaminophen while pregnant
Acetaminophen is considered by most healthcare providers to be the pain reliever of choice during pregnancy. It is best to use only as needed and at the lowest effective dose. Your healthcare providers may have a recommendation of how much they want you to take. The maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen is 4000 mg in one day. Acetaminophen is also in many combination medications. Carefully check the ingredients of any other medications that you take to see if they also have acetaminophen. You will need to add up the amount of acetaminophen in the medications to make sure you are not taking more than 4000 mg in one day. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage, kidney damage, and anemia (low iron in the blood) in a pregnant woman. It has also been reported to cause the same problems in the baby.
Taking Acetaminophen While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Acetaminophen?
Acetaminophen is a good choice for analgesia, and fever reduction in nursing mothers. Amounts in milk are much less than doses usually given to infants. Adverse effects in breastfed infants appear to be rare.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Acetaminophen is a good choice for analgesia, and fever reduction in nursing mothers. Amounts in milk are much less than doses usually given to infants. Adverse effects in breastfed infants appear to be rare.
Possible effects of Acetaminophen on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen.
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Berlin CM Jr, Yaffe SJ, Ragni M. Disposition of acetaminophen in milk, saliva and plasma of lactating women. Pediatr Pharmacol. 1980;1:135-41. PMID: 7202185
2. Bitzen PO, Gustafsson B, Jostell KG et al. Excretion of paracetamol in human breast milk. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1981;20:123-5. PMID: 7262173
3. Notarianni LJ, Oldham HG, Bennett PN. Passage of paracetamol into breast milk and its subsequent metabolism by the neonate. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1987;24:63-7. PMID: 3620287
4. Matheson I, Lunde PKM, Notarianni L. Infant rash caused by paracetamol in breast milk? Pediatrics. 1985;76:651-2. Letter. PMID: 2931668
5. Findlay JWA, DeAngelis RL et al. Analgesic drugs in breast milk and plasma. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1981;29:625-33. PMID: 6529531
6. Ito S, Blajchman A, Stephenson M et al. Prospective follow-up of adverse reactions in breast-fed infants exposed to maternal medication. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993;168:1393-9. PMID: 8498418
7. Nadal-Amat J, Verd S. Paracetamol and asthma and lactation. Acta Paediatr. 2011;100:e2-3. PMID: 21244486
8. Bakkeheim E, Carlsen KH, Lodrup Carlsen KC. Paracetamol exposure during breastfeeding and risk of allergic disease. Acta Paediatr. 2011;100:e3. PMID: 21535130
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
