“We welcome any new research* on over-the-counter medicines. However, the researchers highlight that further studies would be required to determine the possible effect it could have on human health during pregnancy.
“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 study carried out by the University of Edinburgh and presented at the Fertility 2018 conference in Liverpool, has reported that using paracetamol and ibuprofen during pregnancy may impair the future fertility of offspring.
