Changes in the pattern of paracetamol use in the periconception period in a Danish cohort

Summary, in English

Paracetamol is the most commonly used over-the-counter drug in pregnancy. It is generally considered to be safe, but prolonged antenatal exposure has been associated with offspring short- and long-term morbidity. Our aim was to describe the pattern of paracetamol use with a focus on frequent ingestion (more than once a week), 3months before and in early pregnancy. In this cohort, 8650 pregnant women responded to a web-based clinical questionnaire that included questions about drug use. Paracetamol was the most used drug before and in early pregnancy (35.2% and 6.5% of respondents, respectively). The proportion of frequent users decreased from 3.9% before to 0.9% in early pregnancy. Frequent paracetamol use was associated with smoking, co-morbidities, body mass index 25kg/m(2), unplanned pregnancy, no education and inability to understand Danish. A significant decrease in the proportion of women with any paracetamol use in early pregnancy was noted after access to large packs was restricted by legislation.

• Author: Anne S. Ersboll; Mette Hedegaard; Peter Damm; Marianne Johansen; Ann Tabor; Hanne Kristine Hegaard
• Department/s: Child and Family Health
• Publishing year: 2015
• Language: English
• Pages: 898-903
• Publication/Series: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
• Volume: 94
• Issue: 8
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aogs.12667
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Topic: Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
• Keywords: Paracetamol; acetaminophen; pregnancy; antenatal care; prenatal care; exposure
• Status: Published
• Project: Children with cancer
• Research group: Child and Family Health
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1600-0412