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Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking paracetamol for adults - Brand names: Disprol, Hedex, Medinol, Panadol

Paracetamol and pregnancy

Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you're pregnant. It's commonly taken during pregnancy and does not harm your baby.

Paracetamol and breastfeeding

You can take normal doses of paracetamol if you're breastfeeding.

Paracetamol is a first-choice painkiller during breastfeeding. It passes into breast milk in very small amounts. The amount of paracetamol your baby gets is far less than what they would get from a dose of paracetamol given to them directly.

It has been used during breastfeeding for many years without any negative effects on children.

Always read the instructions that come with the medicine.

Paracetamol and fertility

There's no good evidence to suggest that taking paracetamol will reduce fertility in either men or women.

Find out more about how paracetamol can affect you and your baby on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.

Page last reviewed: 20 October 2022
Next review due: 20 October 2025