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Painkiller may disrupt sex hormones, placing unborn babies at risk

NEWS

Use of the painkiller acetaminophen during pregnancy may cause harmful sex hormone abnormalities, according to a study led by San Diego researchers.

COMMENT

There is growing evidence that the painkiller acetaminophen (paracetamol) poses dangers both to the unborn child and young babies alike. For example, a study published in 2016 found that taking the drug during pregnancy or administering it to babies during infancy is associated with the child developing asthma a few years later.

Further demonstrating the risks of this drug, a scientific review published in 2015 looked at the risks of taking acetaminophen on a long-term basis and found that its dangers are seemingly being underestimated even by clinicians. Carried out by researchers from the UK, the review examined eight studies assessing the association between chronic use of the painkiller and major adverse events. Contrary to the general impression given by the pharma industry and its stakeholders that acetaminophen is a safe “cure-all” drug, the researchers discovered that long term use of it raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, renal failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and an early death.

Read article at medicalxpress.com