Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter drug that’s used to relieve minor aches and pains and reduce fever. Acetaminophen is generally considered safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Acetaminophen during pregnancy

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2025 initiated a label change for acetaminophen citing research that associates use of acetaminophen during pregnancy with an increased risk of neurological conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in children.

In a letter to physicians, the FDA recommends clinicians minimize the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy for low-grade fevers. However, the FDA also notes that acetaminophen use during pregnancy has not been proven to cause ASD, and that acetaminophen is the safest over-the-counter pain medication to take while pregnant.

In a statement, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) described the FDA announcement as a “harmful and confusing message to pregnant patients” that is not backed by scientific evidence. ACOG also noted that pain and fever during pregnancy are “far more dangerous” than any potential risk from acetaminophen use.

If you’re pregnant, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking acetaminophen.

Learn more about the science behind acetaminophen and ASD.

If you can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether acetaminophen is a safe option for you.

Acetaminophen is generally considered to be safe to take during pregnancy.

Older studies had found a possible association between the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy and certain mild developmental delays in children, but a more recent study has disproved these findings.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to understand the effects that acetaminophen could have on you or the child who is breastfed.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), acetaminophen is generally considered to be safe for use during breastfeeding. However, it’s best to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking acetaminophen while breastfeeding.

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