“We welcome any new research on over-the-counter medicines. However, the findings* resulted from tests on mice and as the authors acknowledge, more research would be needed to firmly establish if the same effect applied to humans.
“The official NHS advice on paracetamol is that it can be used through all stages of pregnancy to reduce a high temperature (fever) and relieve pain. This is supported by a large body of evidence from over 50 years of paracetamol use in humans.
“In line with current guidelines, we advise that pregnant women use paracetamol at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. We would recommend that pregnant women should always speak to their GP, midwife or pharmacist before taking any medicine, including paracetamol. It’s also important to read the product information carefully and only use in accordance with the instructions.”
*A review of three studies, carried out by Copenhagen University Hospital and published in Endocrine Connections, has reported that using paracetamol during pregnancy may impair the future fertility of female offspring. The studies were all carried out on mice and not humans.
