Is Paracetamol Dangerous During Pregnancy?
The Spanish Agency for Drugs and Medical Devices (AEMPS) has conducted studies to evaluate the safety of taking paracetamol during pregnancy. Thanks to these tests, the safety of the drug for pregnant women can now be confirmed.
The administration of paracetamol during pregnancy has long been questioned. It is possible that many experts still hold opposing views on this. Paracetamol is one of the best-selling drugs in the world. The problem with over-the-counter drugs is that patients are often unaware of the side effects and contraindications that can occur.
Until recently, there were recommendations that classified the use of paracetamol during pregnancy as dangerous. However, according to the clinical experience gathered, there is no evidence of a link between taking the drug and the effects on the genitourinary system or changes in the child’s neurodevelopment.
What is paracetamol used for and how does it work in the body?
This widely used drug has both analgesic and antipyretic properties, which means that it relieves pain and lowers fever. It is a drug that is similar to aspirin, but unlike aspirin, it does not have the ability to reduce inflammation, nor does it have anti-platelet effects.
Because of these properties, paracetamol is used for the treatment of moderate, acute and chronic pain. It is viewed by most authors as the analgesic of choice for patients over the age of 50.
On the other hand, it is not known exactly how Paracetmal develops its effects, although at least one knows that it acts centrally. The most widely accepted hypothesis in scientific society is that paracetamol increases the pain threshold by inhibiting cyclooxygenases. These are molecules that are involved in prostaglandin synthesis.
Prostaglandins are proteins that are related to pain. However, paracetamol is unable to inhibit cyclooxygenases on the peripheral level, i.e. outside the central nervous system. Because of this, it has no anti-inflammatory effects. However, paracetamol inhibits the synthesis and action of several chemical mediators that sensitize pain receptors to mechanical or chemical stimuli.
In terms of its antipyretic effects, acetaminophen is able to block the area of the brain that controls body temperature. By triggering a vasodilatation, increasing the peripheral blood flow and sweating, it is possible to dissipate the heat.
Side effects of acetaminophen
Paracetamol is hepatotoxic, which means that it is toxic to the liver. However, in most cases this is the result of an overdose or chronically administered overdoses. The hepatotoxicity caused by paracetamol is expressed as follows:
- Tissue death of the liver
- Jaundice: yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes
- Digestive bleeding or bruising on the skin
- Encephalopathy
In addition to being toxic, it can also cause other side effects, such as:
- Neutropenia: a decrease in white blood cells
- Hives and other allergic reactions
The new recommendations on the use of paracetamol during pregnancy
The AEMPS (Spanish Agency for Drugs and Medical Devices) recently changed the recommendations for the use of paracetamol during pregnancy. When a drug hits the market , a series of observational studies are carried out to assess its long-term safety or to identify hazards that could not be assessed in the previous phases of the study.
During this intermittent assessment of acetaminophen, conducted by the drug control departments, further research was carried out into the risk to the fetus when a pregnant woman was treated with acetaminophen. All of this data on the safety of the drug that emerged from these observational studies has been included in the technical data sheets and package inserts for drugs containing this active ingredient.
In this way, the AEMPS has a solid basis for its judgment. After all appropriate reviews have been carried out, it has been concluded that there is no evidence that prenatal use of paracetamol has any effect on the genitourinary system or changes in the child’s neurodevelopment.
Paracetamol during pregnancy: conclusion
Ultimately, it is confirmed that a pregnant woman can take acetaminophen if clinically directed to do so. However, this drug should not be exploited. Women in this situation must be particularly careful when taking medication and avoid self-medication in any case.
