Can You Take Tylenol (Acetaminophen) While Pregnant?

When it comes to over-the-counter pain relief, Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a go-to for many people.

However, during pregnancy, many of the medications you’d normally take for pain relief can pose risks to you and your developing baby. It’s sensible if you’re wondering if Tylenol is still a safe option.

Let’s break down whether you can take Tylenol while you’re pregnant and what the alternatives are.

For decades, most experts have regarded acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, as the safest pain reliever during pregnancy.

Major health organizations, including the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG), confirm that acetaminophen is generally safe for pregnant women when used correctly. 1

Research suggests that up to 70% of pregnant women take Tylenol at some point, often for headaches, muscle pain, or fever. 2

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies Tylenol as a pregnancy Category B medication, which means that no proven risks have been identified in animal studies when the drug is used appropriately, although no well-controlled human studies exist. 3

However, you should still ask your doctor before taking any medication while you’re pregnant, including Tylenol.

When can you take Tylenol during pregnancy?

You can use acetaminophen during all three trimesters as a cure for common pregnancy symptoms and discomforts, including: 4

• Headaches
• Back pain
• Muscle aches
• Fever

Managing fevers during pregnancy is particularly important because high temperatures may increase the risk of certain birth defects. 5

Will Tylenol affect your baby?

Using Tylenol occasionally and on a short-term basis hasn’t been shown to negatively impact fetal development. 2

However, you should be extra sure to talk to your doctor if you want to use it long-term or in larger doses (you should discuss any and all medication with your doctor, anyway). Recent studies have called into question the safety of prolonged use of Tylenol in large doses.

While most experts agree that Tylenol is safe to take when pregnant, you need to make sure you follow the dosage guidelines for each type:

• Regular strength Tylenol: You can take two 325 mg tablets every 4–6 hours as needed. Don’t exceed 3,250 mg (10 tablets) in 24 hours. 6
• Extra strength Tylenol: Two 500 mg coated tablets (caplets) every 6 hours as needed. Do not exceed 3,000 mg (6 caplets) in 24 hours. 6

Unless your doctor specifically tells you otherwise, always take the lowest effective dose (the smallest one necessary for relief). If you have a liver condition, such as hepatitis or pregnancy-induced liver issues, bring that up with your doctor before taking Tylenol. 7

Are other variants of acetaminophen (Tylenol) safe?

Aside from the regular and extra-strength versions of Tylenol, let’s take a look at how safe the other available varieties are:

Tylenol PM

Along with acetaminophen, this variety of Tylenol contains diphenhydramine (Benadryl), an antihistamine that also acts as a sleep aid. 8

In addition to drowsiness, you might experience other side effects from Tylenol PM, like a dry mouth and dizziness.

Occasional use during pregnancy is generally safe, but avoid regular use without medical advice.

If you have trouble sleeping, discuss non-medicated sleep aids and good sleep hygiene practices with your doctor. On that note, try to maintain a consistent bedtime schedule and avoid screens before bed.

Tylenol Cold/Sinus/Flu

These Tylenol types often contain phenylephrine, a decongestant that can constrict blood vessels. 9

Some doctors advise against using medications with phenylephrine during pregnancy because it may reduce blood flow to the placenta.

Ask your doctor about alternative decongestants or other remedies for congestion. 10 They may suggest trying saline nasal sprays or nasal strips instead.

Some studies suggest there may be a link between long-term acetaminophen use during pregnancy and your baby having an increased risk of ADHD and autism. 11

However, experts emphasize that these studies only show correlation, not causation—while there’s an observed association, it doesn’t prove that acetaminophen actually causes these conditions.

The FDA reviewed the evidence and found the strongest association in women who used acetaminophen for more than 20 weeks during pregnancy. 2 As AJOG explained in their response to the review, there’s no proof that acetaminophen causes developmental issues when used occasionally and at the recommended dose. 1

When you should limit or avoid Tylenol

You should take Tylenol sparingly or avoid it entirely if you: 7

• Have a liver condition
• Need to take it daily or for prolonged periods
• Have pain that’s severe or persistent

To reiterate, before taking any medication during pregnancy, including Tylenol, always speak with your doctor about your symptoms.

If your pain is mild enough that you don’t think you need Tylenol or if you just prefer not to rely too much on medication, try these options:

• Ice packs to reduce inflammation for headaches or swollen joints
• Prenatal yoga or gentle stretching to ease muscle discomfort
• Massage therapy by a certified prenatal massage therapist
• Saline nasal sprays and nasal strips to relieve congestion
• Warm (not hot) baths to generally ease aches and pains

Similarly to a warm bath, you can also use heating pads for muscle tension or lower back pain during your pregnancy (but avoid prolonged heat exposure, especially on your abdomen—stick to a low setting for less than 30 minutes at a time).

On a related note, good sleep habits like going to bed at the same time every night, avoiding caffeine late in the day, and keeping your bedroom cool and dark, can also improve your overall well-being and prevent you from needing sleep aids when dealing with pregnancy-related pain (a trap that many women fall into when dealing with their symptoms in the evening).

Overall, Tylenol is one of the safest pain relief options you can take during pregnancy. Recent studies have raised some questions, but experts remain confident that occasional use at the lowest effective dose is unlikely to harm you or your baby.

With that said, always check with your doctor before taking any medication, and try alternative methods for managing your pain when you can.