Common Pain Reliever Linked to Risks During Pregnancy

February 27, 2014 | Crandall & Pera Law
Common Pain Reliever Linked to Risks During Pregnancy

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics finds that using acetaminophen - the active ingredient in Tylenol and other common pain relievers - during pregnancy may not be as safe as women have been told.

According to the study, the children of women who took the drug during pregnancy were about 40% more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than children of mothers who took none.

The probability of a child developing ADHD symptoms severe enough to require medication increased by 63% when his or her mother took acetaminophen during the last two trimesters of pregnancy and 28% when used in the third trimester alone.

The study underscores that, even when a medication is billed as safe, the safest route is for pregnant women to take it as rarely as possible and at the lowest effective dose, said UCLA obstetrician Dr. Daniel Kahn, a maternal-fetal health specialist who was not involved in the study. Read the full details here:

Tylenol use during pregnancy linked to ADHD in kids, study finds

This is just another example of why pregnant women should be extremely careful about what medications they take. They should always consult their OB before taking a new medication, even if it can be bought over-the-counter.

If you or anyone in your family has suffered serious side effects or damages from a medication error you should seek legal investigation immediately. Crandall & Pera Law is available to help answer your questions and guide you in determining your next steps.