Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, is one of the most popular pain reliever drugs used during pregnancy. It also might be linked to more attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders among children, a new study found.
In research published Sept. 28 in the journal PLOS ONE, 3-year-olds who were exposed to the painkiller in the womb had significantly higher scores on the Child Behavior Checklist's syndrome scale. Among the 2,423 mother-child pairs in the study, sleep problems and attention problems ranked as the highest syndromes associated with acetaminophen.
"Because use of acetaminophen during pregnancy is common, these results are of public health concern and suggest caution in the use of medications containing acetaminophen during pregnancy," the researchers wrote in conclusion.
Although the study did not evaluate different doses or the frequency of acetaminophen, the results come as 87 lawsuits accuse CVS, Walgreens and Walmart of not disclosing the risks tied to the medication during pregnancy, according to Bloomberg.
A Walmart representative told Bloomberg that it "does not manufacture these products" and it's up to suppliers to "provide safe and quality products that comply with all applicable laws, including labeling requirements." CVS and Walgreens declined Bloomberg's requests for comment.
In response to arguments against acetaminophen, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said last year the painkiller is safe to take during pregnancy because no studies have found a direct link between the drug and neurodevelopmental disorders.
"Neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular, are multifactorial and very difficult to associate with a singular cause," ACOG said in the statement. "COG's clinical guidance remains the same and physicians should not change clinical practice until definitive prospective research is done. Most importantly, patients should not be frightened away from the many benefits of acetaminophen."