There is currently no new evidence requiring changes to existing recommendations on paracetamol use during pregnancy, emphasizes the State Agency of Medicines.
US President Donald Trump recently claimed that paracetamol use in pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of autism. However, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Latvian specialists stress that available data do not support this claim. Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, remains an important choice for reducing pain or fever during pregnancy.
EMA’s Chief Medical Officer, Steffen Thirstrup, underlined that scientific data do not show a link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism or developmental harm to the fetus. A large body of research reviewed in 2019 found results to be inconclusive, with
no proven connection to neurological disorders in children.
Experts recommend that pregnant women use paracetamol at the lowest effective dose, for the shortest possible duration, and only when necessary. Consultation with a doctor or pharmacist remains essential. The EMA and Latvia’s State Agency of Medicines continue to monitor the safety of paracetamol, pledging to review any new data and take regulatory action if needed.
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