Pregnant women are advised to exercise restraint during pregnancy with the use of paracetamol, emphasize drug watchdog CBG and side effects center Lareb. ‘Only use paracetamol if it is really necessary, as briefly as possible and in the lowest possible dose’, the MEB summarizes the existing advice. The reason is an article by an international group of 91 scientists, doctors and other health professionals. They call for extra caution.
Increasing evidence suggests that acetaminophen could affect fetal development, the group of researchers warns in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology. The use of the painkiller, which has a relatively harmless image, may lead to a higher risk of certain abnormalities, for example in the brain or reproductive organs. According to the authors, more research is urgently needed.
Research results are in line with more recent studies
The Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) believes that the article is in line with the existing advice. “Always weigh the use of paracetamol during pregnancy against the severity of the complaints,” says the drug watchdog. The European Medicines Agency (EMA), which also includes the MEB, is still assessing the recent studies referred to in Nature.
‘The safest painkiller during pregnancy’
CBG emphasizes that paracetamol is ‘the safest painkiller during pregnancy’. It is better than ibuprofen for example. ‘Pain or fever can also be harmful to the unborn baby. So always make a careful assessment and be careful with the use of paracetamol’, says chairman Ton de Boer in a statement.
Lareb: ‘Research contradict each other’
The Lareb side effects center agrees. ‘Paracetamol is still the best choice during pregnancy for severe pain and fever.’ The center does acknowledge that it is not yet known exactly how safe paracetamol is during pregnancy. A persistent high fever is in any case unhealthy for the baby. And severe pain that won’t go away can be bad for the mother’s health. ‘Pain and fever must therefore be treated properly.’ Lareb adds that the studies “contradict each other.”
Source: ANP
– .
