When you’re pregnant a cold is the last thing that you wish to experience. Fever, cough and stuffed nose can be really annoying when your body is focusing on growing and nourishing a fetus. However, no matter how much we try to avoid getting ill, during these crucial nine months, it’s almost impossible to stay healthy all the time, especially if we have to pass through winter. Because of their special condition, pregnant women have additional restrictions when it comes to medicines. So, let’s take a look if Tylenol or any other acetaminophen (paracetamol) based drug is allowed while carrying a baby.
What is Tylenol?
Tylenol is the North American brand name for acetaminophen. In other countries you can find it under the call sign of Panadol, Paracetamol, Feverall, Mejoralito and others. Acetaminophen is an analgesic drug that reduces fever for short periods of time, relieves headaches and other minor pains. It’s recommended in case of cough and colds because it’s efficient in treating sore throat, sinus infection, lowers fever and handles muscle pain.
Tylenol Ingredients
As mentioned above, Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime has the following active ingredients:
– Acetaminophen (325mg): main ingredient that lowers fever and relieves pain (safe for use during pregnancy);
– Dextromethorphan HBr (10mg): tackles cough (can cause side-effects during pregnancy);
– Phenylephrine HCl (5mg): frees-up stuffed nose (should be avoided during the first trimester).
Tylenol Pregnancy Risk Category
Now, let’s see if pregnant women can safely ingest this acetaminophen based drug. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labels Tylenol as ‘class C’ under its pregnancy risk scale, with A being the safest and X the most dangerous. ‘Class C’ means that there are no clear studies on human reproduction, but animal ones have shown that there is an adverse side-effect on the fetus. A ‘class C’ drug, like Tylenol is recommended by the FDA if the benefits outweigh the risks. However, Tylenol’s classification is poorly influenced by the dextromethorphan and phenylephrine ingredients which are considered ‘class C’ while the main ingredient acetaminophen is labelled ‘class A’, safe to use.
Should I Ingest Tylenol If I’m Pregnant?
Any drug that you plan to ingest while pregnant should be advised and recommended by your doctor, especially if you’re at your first pregnancy. There is no drug 100% safe for humans, not to speak about pregnant women which have a lot of additional restrictions.
Tylenol Alternatives During Pregnancy
Of course, that the ideal option is to ingest acetaminophen without the other risk bringing active ingredients. This means to replace the Tylenol Multi-Symptom tablet with three non-harming products that take care of your symptoms. For example you could swap the dextromethorphan with throat sprays or other sore throat home remedies. You can also spare your pregnancy from phenylephrine with the help saline nasal sprays that aid congestion, or perform hot steam inhalations. For reducing fever you can also check grandma’s home remedies for a cold.