Can You Take Tylenol PM While Pregnant?
If you are pregnant, avoid all medications whenever possible and use them only after talking with your health-care provider. From the many studies done on this medication, it is believed to be safe to use in pregnancy if taken only occasionally and in small doses. But like all medications, there are risks involved that may affect you and the development of your baby.
Other People Are Reading
-
Uses
-
Tylenol PM is used as a sleep aid for someone with minor pain, such as muscle aches or headache. Take it before bedtime. Use this medication in small doses and only very occasionally. If you do not have a headache or muscle aches, consider using a sleep aid only, since you do not want to use any medication you do not absolutely need.
Ingredients
-
Tylenol PM comes in gelcap, geltab or caplet form. Each one has 500 mg of acetaminophen and 25 mg of diphenhydramine. Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter drug used for pain and fever control. Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in Benadryl, an over-the-counter antihistamine with the side effect of drowsiness.
-
Doses
-
Take the minimum dose to achieve your goal, which is getting some sleep. One tablet may be enough. Never exceed the recommended maximum dose, especially when pregnant. Do not repeat another dose later in the night, even if you have not fallen asleep.
Effects
-
Most people feel the effects for four to six hours, but be careful when getting up in case you still feel groggy. Pregnancy can affect the way you metabolize drugs, so you may feel the effects longer. Be certain you are fully awake and alert before driving.
Side Effects
-
Grogginess is both a goal and a side effect. Do not drive for at least eight hours after taking this medication. Be careful using stairs, as your balance may be affected, causing you to trip or fall. Use caution with sharp instruments, because you may not be alert or totally aware of safety considerations. Diphenhydramine may worsen emphysema, chronic bronchitis or glaucoma.
Risks
-
There has been a lot of research done on acetaminophen because it is known to cross the human placenta. Whatever the recommendations of your doctor, it is ultimately your responsibility to weigh the risks and benefits, and your decision whether it is in the best interest of you and your baby to take a medication.
The National Institute of Health reports that acetaminophen used during the third trimester in pre-eclamptic mothers increased their risk of early and stillborn delivery. And the Collaborative Perinatal Project reports "possible associations with congenital dislocation of the hip and clubfoot."
Research presented to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology annual meeting "found that 5-year-old children of high-risk mothers who took acetaminophen in pregnancy were 70 percent more likely to suffer wheezing than kids whose moms didn't take the medicine-cabinet staple."
Warning
-
No one should ever take more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen in any 24-hour period. Any more is considered an overdose. Acetaminophen overdose causes kidney and liver failure, and may result in the death of both mother and baby.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Brittany Culver
