Acetaminophen Used During Pregnancy Linked to Asthma, ADHD, Fertility Problems & Cancer

Pregnant women have been told to take the pain reliever Tylenol (which is acetaminophen) for years, since it was the “safest” for them.

The journal American Family Physician even called acetaminophen “the pain reliever of choice during pregnancy”. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data suggest 65% of pregnant women use the drug.

Prenatal Acetaminophen Exposure Linked to Asthma:

Researchers have now found that, when used during pregnancy, even this “safe” over-the-counter (OTC) drug, may be associated with an increased risk of asthma in children.

Researchers analyzed data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study, which includes 114,500 mother/child pairs. Both prenatal acetaminophen exposure and use of acetaminophen during infancy were associated with an increased risk of asthma at ages 3 and 7.

Children whose mothers had used acetaminophen during pregnancy were 13% more likely to develop asthma by age 3. The more acetaminophen that was used by the mother, the greater the risk became.

Research published in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety in February 2016 found that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was associated with a modest increased risk for offspring asthma.

Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy Linked to ADHD in Children:
The potential link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and ADHD came to light in 2014 after a study was published in JAMA Pediatrics.

It included data from more than 64,000 mothers and children in the Danish National Birth Cohort. Over 50% of the women reported taking acetaminophen while pregnant, which was found to be linked to:

1. A 30% increased risk for ADHD in the child during the first seven years of life

2. A 37% increased risk of being diagnosed with hyperkinetic disorder (HKD), a severe form of ADHD

Behavioral effects appeared to be dose dependent. The more frequent the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, the higher the offspring’s chances of being diagnosed with ADHD-related problems.

Children of women who used the drug for 20 or more weeks during pregnancy had nearly double the risk of getting an HKD diagnosis. They also had a 50% greater chance of being prescribed an ADHD medication.

The researchers noted that “research data suggest that acetaminophen is a hormone disruptor, and abnormal hormonal exposures in pregnancy may influence fetal brain development.”

Prenatal Acetaminophen Exposure May Be Linked to Fertility Problems & Cancer in Boys:

As reported by Forbes: “Acetaminophen can cross the placenta, making its way to the fetus and its delicate developing nervous system. The drug is a known endocrine (hormone) disrupter, and has previously been linked to undescended testes in male infants.”

Prenatal acetaminophen exposure appears to cut levels of testosterone in the womb, at least according to a study in mice. The animals were given doses of acetaminophen equivalent to a human dose.

While treatment for just one day did not affect testosterone levels, treatment three times a day for seven days did, cutting testosterone levels in the mice nearly in half. The finding is concerning, since most common male reproductive disorders are linked to lower testosterone exposure in fetal life.

It’s thought that acetaminophen’s interference with the development of the male reproductive system could not only lead to genital birth defects but also to infertility and testicular cancer.

While the mouse study suggested only male fertility may be affected, a separate study published in Scientific Reports revealed that acetaminophen (or NSAID) use in pregnancy could also potentially affect fertility of resulting daughters and granddaughters.

Carmel Lloyd of the Royal College of Midwives told the Daily Mail:
“Ideally, women should avoid taking medicines when they are pregnant, particularly during the first three months … Minor conditions such as colds or minor aches and pains often do not need treating with medicines.”

The Royal College of Midwives suggested pregnant women talk to their health care providers before taking acetaminophen.

The Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health said that prolonged use of the drug should be avoided by pregnant women.

What Are Your Alternatives?

Why not talk to your doctor about the health hazards that acetaminophen and other pain relievers carry?

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, consult with your health care provider before taking any medications, herbs or supplements.

Here is a List From Dr.Mercola of the Top Acetaminophen Alternatives:

1. Astaxanthin: One of the most effective oil-soluble antioxidants known. It has very potent anti-inflammatory properties and in many cases works far more effectively than many NSAIDs. Higher doses are typically required and one may need 8 mg or more per day to achieve this benefit.

2. Ginger: This herb is anti-inflammatory and offers pain relief and stomach-settling properties. Fresh ginger works well steeped in boiling water as a tea or grated into vegetable juice.

3. Curcumin: Curcumin is the primary therapeutic compound identified in the spice turmeric. In a study of osteoarthritis patients, those who added 200 mg of curcumin a day to their treatment plan had reduced pain and increased mobility. In fact, curcumin has been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory activity, as well as demonstrating the ability in four studies to reduce acetaminophen-associated adverse health effects.

4. Boswellia: Also known as boswellin or “Indian frankincense,” this herb contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which have been prized for thousands of years. This is one of my personal favorites as I have seen it work well with many rheumatoid arthritis patients.

5. Bromelain: This protein-digesting enzyme, found in pineapples, is a natural anti-inflammatory. It can be taken in supplement form, but eating fresh pineapple may also be helpful.

6. Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO): This oil, found in fish and dairy butter, acts as a “joint lubricant” and an anti-inflammatory. I have used this for myself to relieve ganglion cysts and a mild annoying carpal tunnel syndrome that pops up when I type too much on non-ergonomic keyboards. I used a topical preparation for this.

7. Evening Primrose, Black Currant and Borage Oils: These contain the fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which is useful for treating arthritic pain.

8. Cayenne Cream: Also called capsaicin cream, this spice comes from dried hot peppers. It alleviates pain by depleting the body’s supply of substance P, a chemical component of nerve cells that transmits pain signals to your brain.

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