Can I take Tylenol while pregnant?

You should always follow your doctor's directions as to which medications are safe in pregnancy. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a common over-the-counter (OTC) medication used for mild pain, headache and fever treatment routinely used in pregnancy. Clinical studies show that acetaminophen is safe in pregnancy at all stages at the recommended doses for short-term use.

Acetaminophen has a Pregnancy Risk Category of B, meaning that animal reproduction studies have not shown a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

Follow dosing directions, as high doses of acetaminophen can be toxic to the liver or kidney.

Acetaminophen is found in many combination cough, cold and flu OTC medicines, so avoid excess dosing and always be sure to read labels and look for "acetaminophen". Acetaminophen is excreted in breast milk but is considered compatible with breastfeeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics.