Introduction
Paracetamol is a painkiller and belongs to the group of non-opioid analgesics. It has an analgesic and antipyretic effect. The name paracetamol comes from paraacetylaminophenol.
This is the chemical substance the drug is made of. Paracetamol is usually very well tolerated and is therefore used relatively frequently. In Germany it is available without prescription in pharmacies.
Paracetamol can be used at any age if the dosage is adjusted. The pain reliever is only taken for a longer period of time in exceptional cases. During pregnancy it is the painkiller of first choice, as other drugs such as aspirin are contraindicated due to possible consequential damage to the baby.
Mode of action of paracetamol
The exact effect of paracetamol is not yet fully understood. It is a non-acidic non-opioid analgesic, unlike the acidic non-opioid analgesics (ASA, Ibuprofen). After ingestion paracetamol accumulates in the central nervous system (consisting of the brain and spinal cord).
It inhibits the sub-form of the enzyme COX-3 (=cyclooxigenase 3), which produces prostaglandins in an uninhibited state. These are messenger substances that play an important role in the development of inflammation and fever. They also influence the pain transmission process. Paracetamol mainly has a fever-lowering (antipyretic) effect, the anti-inflammatory (antiphlogistic) effect is rather weak. Other effects of paracetamol are also discussed.
Use of paracetamol during pregnancy
In general, the use of paracetamol is possible during pregnancy. However, since pregnancy is a special situation, a strict indication should be given, i.e. the use of paracetamol should be critically evaluated. In addition, you should consult your doctor before taking paracetamol during pregnancy.
However, studies on the use of paracetamol during pregnancy show that there is no increased risk. For example, studies have shown that there have been no undesirable side effects with regard to the course of pregnancy or the health of the unborn child. Furthermore, there are no indications of an increased incidence of, for example, malformations.
Furthermore, prospective studies have shown that even in the case of an accidental overdose, the number of malformations has not increased. New studies let however a connection of the income of Paracetamol in the pregnancy and the increased occurrence of asthma with the child assume. Furthermore, there is a study that shows that taking paracetamol could possibly lead to a later developmental delay in the child.
During pregnancy, paracetamol should never be taken as a long-term medication as there are no data available for this case and therefore the safety of the mother and the unborn child cannot be guaranteed. It is also strongly advised not to take paracetamol in a higher dose during pregnancy, as here too the harmlessness of the drug has not been proven. Furthermore, paracetamol must not be combined with other drugs during pregnancy, as here too the data available is insufficient and therefore potential risks exist.
In addition to pregnancy, the intake of paracetamol should also be weighed carefully during the breastfeeding period and clarified with the treating physician. Studies have shown that paracetamol passes into breast milk in small doses and is thus absorbed by the infant. Nevertheless, no adverse effects are known to date. For this reason, paracetamol can be taken in normal doses during breastfeeding. The topic may also be of interest to you:
- Paracetamol in the nursing period
- Respiratory infection during pregnancy
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