The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has moved to allay concerns over the safety of paracetamol use during pregnancy.
In a statement on Thursday, October 2, PPB Acting CEO Ahmed Mohamed reassured expectant mothers that the drug remains safe when used under medical supervision.
He explained that the drug, also known as acetaminophen, continues to be a recommended option for managing pain and fever in pregnant women.
“The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) wishes to address concerns regarding the use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy. It reassures the public that paracetamol remains a recommended medicine for the relief of pain and fever in pregnant women, provided it is taken as directed by a qualified healthcare professional,” he said.
Mohamed noted that while some studies have suggested a possible link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and developmental conditions in children, there is no definitive proof to support such claims.
“Paracetamol is one of the most widely used medicines in Kenya and globally. While some studies have suggested possible links between its use during pregnancy and conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, there is no conclusive scientific evidence confirming these associations,” he added.
Mohamed further emphasized that the PPB monitoring division has not received any reports locally that connect paracetamol use in pregnancy with such conditions.
“The PB’s Pharmacovigilance Division has not received any reports linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to ASD or ADHD. The Division continues to monitor the safety of medicines used during pregnancy to protect the health of mothers and children,” he further said.
As such, PPB urged pregnant women to only use paracetamol when necessary, strictly in the right dosage, and only when prescribed by a healthcare provider.
The board also called on health professionals to provide counselling to expectant mothers regarding the safe use of paracetamol and other medicines during pregnancy.
