Note to reduce fever safely for pregnant women

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Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a quick fever reducer for pregnant women, widely used and can be bought easily without a prescription. However, some studies suggest that acetaminophen can lead to serious side effects for the unborn baby.

1. Uses of acetaminophen for pregnant women

Fever and pain are two of the signs that the body is having problems. Meanwhile, the use of antipyretic drugs for pregnant women has the risk of causing long-term side effects in the newborn baby.
Although there are many antipyretic and pain relievers on the market today, only a few are considered safe for pregnancy. Since 1893, acetaminophen has been the first and most widely used drug to date for pain relief and fever reduction. Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine and is sold under different trade names, alone or in combination with other active ingredients.
Paracetamol is considered the safest drug to reduce fever for pregnant women and children at therapeutic doses, without addictive effects like opioids, does not inhibit blood clotting and has no side effects on the stomach like aspirin. There is currently no medicine that can replace acetaminophen.

2. Research on the side effects of acetaminophen

Acetaminophen (or paracetamol) is considered the safest pain reliever and fever reducer for pregnant women and is being used widely around the world. However, there is research that suggests that using acetaminophen to lower a fever during pregnancy is associated with an increased chance of a child developing asthma, a low IQ, and decreased sex drive and fertility. birth defects, autism spectrum disorders, neurodevelopmental delays (motor and communication), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, impaired concentration and behavioral problems. Using paracetamol during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, has a risk of leading to a decrease in the number of hematopoietic stem cells and the birth weight of the baby.

Because of the potential for other side effects, acetaminophen should be used with caution, starting with the lowest effective dose and treated for the shortest time. Paracetamol can cross the placenta freely and directly affect the fetus. Therefore, acetaminophen should be used during pregnancy only when absolutely necessary and there is no safer option for quick pain relief or fever reduction for pregnant women. Scientists have conducted separate studies on pregnant women. 2 groups of pregnant women:
Group 1 did not take pain medication during pregnancy. Group 2 used paracetamol at least once during pregnancy. The results of the study showed that the group taking paracetamol had a higher rate of medical and allergic diseases than pregnant women who did not take pain relievers. In addition, the rate of pregnancy complications is also higher. On the other hand, there is a proportion of pregnant women who use ibuprofen or a second drug to reduce fever and pain, in addition to paracetamol. Taking a combination drug inadvertently increases the concentration of pain reliever in the body, and therefore the risk of side effects is also higher. In particular, the risk is higher for women who have had a second baby or take the drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy.

3. How to reduce fever safely for pregnant women

Pregnant women are very sensitive to medical problems. On the other hand, the use of the drug needs to be very cautious because of the risk of harm to the fetus, especially in the first trimester.
When having a fever, pregnant women should go to a medical facility for proper diagnosis and treatment. To improve symptoms, acetaminophen can be used. Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen during pregnancy, unless specifically indicated for these drugs. In addition, pregnant women can apply the following ways to help reduce fever faster:
Take a warm bath or apply a warm towel; Drink plenty of water, replenish electrolytes to lower body temperature, prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance; Wear loose, light clothing and avoid heat (eg, avoid going out in the sun); Wash your hands often, avoid contact with sick people, and get a flu shot to limit your risk of catching a cold or flu; Take measures to avoid mosquito bites, to limit the possibility of dengue fever. Pregnant women with flu or dengue fever not only cause fever but also lead to many other dangerous complications. However, antipyretic treatment for pregnant women is often ineffective. The patient's condition did not improve with the use of conventional antipyretics.
If you are uncertain about which fever-reducing medicine to use to both treat the mother's illness and not affect the fetus, pregnant women should go to the hospital for examination and advice. Vinmec International General Hospital with the best doctors and maternity specialists will directly diagnose and determine the health status of pregnant women and give necessary professional advice on the use of antipyretic drugs. What's best for mom and baby?

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

References: nih.gov; whattoexpect.com