Acetaminophen Remains Recommended For Pregnant Canadians, Health Canada Says

Health Canada has reviewed the evidence and maintains that acetaminophen is safe to use during pregnancy when taken as directed. There is no conclusive link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. No injuries or adverse effects have been reported when used properly.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever and fever reducer found in many over-the-counter products. It is typically used to manage headaches, muscle aches and fever, and is often kept in home medicine cabinets or purchased at pharmacies.

What’s the risk?

Health Canada has found no evidence that acetaminophen, when used as directed during pregnancy, causes autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. The medication remains a recommended treatment for pain or fever in pregnant individuals. Using acetaminophen incorrectly or in high doses can still pose health risks, so it should be taken at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed.

What should pregnant people do?

• Continue to use acetaminophen as directed for pain or fever during pregnancy
• Always follow dosing instructions and consult your healthcare provider if you have concerns
• Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of use

Key takeaways

• No proven link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism or neurodevelopmental disorders
• Acetaminophen is widely available and commonly used across Canada
• No injuries or adverse effects reported when used as directed

Check the official recall notice

See the full Health Canada alert: “Acetaminophen is a recommended treatment for fever and pain during pregnancy.”

This article was crafted with assistance from an AI language model and reviewed by a human editor. The final version reflects this publication’s editorial standards and expertise.