Can I Take Off Brand Tylenol While Pregnant
Acetaminophen, the generic name of Tylenol, is a popular over-the-counter pain reliever that people usually take to alleviate many types of discomfort. They are considered safe for everyone to consume. But can you take Tylenol while pregnant? Wouldn't it affect the health and wellness of the baby and the mother? Here are some details that we need to know about the drug and how it interacts with the body during pregnancy.
The sensitivity of pregnancy
Before getting pregnant, we are taking necessary precautions about what to food or drugs to consume or activities to do to keep our own bodies healthy. But when we get pregnant, everything is not just about us; it is also about the well-being of our offspring. We are caring for two lives now, ours and our baby's. That is why we become extremely mindful of what food to eat, movements to do, places to go, and even medicines to take. Every different sensation should have an explanation, or else we become paranoid and think that something is wrong with our bundle of joy. This thinking is the very reason why prenatal check-ups are essential. Our obstetricians are knowledgeable and trained to answer all of our questions. They care capable of addressing our concerns in the best way possible.
Is taking Tylenol while pregnant safe?
That question can be applied to any medication. We usually question the safety and use of a specific drug that our doctors prescribe to us to make sure that they also considered the welfare of our baby. Take Tylenol for example. The once safe pain reliever that we oftentimes take to relieve headaches and other body pains, becomes the focus of scrutiny of most expecting parents-to-be.
The simple answer to this question is yes, using Tylenol while pregnant is safe. In fact, acetaminophen is one of the most prescribed analgesics that obstetricians recommend for mothers who experience different body discomforts during pregnancy. Some may complain of fevers, headaches, foot pain, leg pain, or backaches brought about by the pregnancy and the hormonal changes that come with it. Taking Tylenol while pregnant eases the ache and discomfort without harming the baby.
Tylenol while pregnant: Different kinds of acetaminophen
Tylenol has different preparations to address the level of pain relief each user would require. There is what we call the original Tylenol, Tylenol Extra Strength, and Tylenol PM. All these forms of Tylenol are safe during pregnancy but take note of the following considerations.
Tylenol Extra Strength contains the same type of acetaminophen as the original one, but it provides a higher dosage of the drug. The recommended dosage for adults, while you are bearing child, is taking two caplets every 6 hours, without exceeding six caplets in a day.
Meanwhile, Tylenol PM is a combination of two medicines, namely acetaminophen and diphenhydramine. This drug, diphenhydramine, is the same drug composition that we see in Benadryl. You can use this combination drug on a short-term basis only. The limit of usage for this one is taking a maximum of 2 caplets a day.
Doubts about using Tylenol while pregnant
Although we have mentioned that Tylenol is safe to use for pregnant women, some are still hesitant to take it. Their reservations came up due to some research published online saying that Tylenol or acetaminophen intake may likely cause the development of autism or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), language delay, and asthma once they are born. However, these theories or assumptions lack scientific evidence, and no study backs up these claims as of yet. However, just as an additional safety precaution, if you are to take acetaminophen in combination with other medications that you are taking while pregnant, make sure that your doctor is informed about this. She should give you a go signal on all the medications that you will take because some drugs do not interact properly with the others. Your obstetrician's approval is reason enough to feel safe and protected from the side effects or complications that medication may (or may not) cause.
Can I Take Off Brand Tylenol While Pregnant
Source: http://connperinatal.org/tylenol-while-pregnant/