Paracetamol News and Research

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Paracetamol is a drug that reduces pain and fever (but not inflammation). It belongs to the family of drugs called analgesics.

Prenatal paracetamol exposure linked to smaller ovaries in daughters

Researchers in Denmark have found that girls whose mothers took paracetamol during pregnancy had smaller ovaries, fewer ovarian follicles (the structures that contain immature eggs), smaller uteruses and lower levels of reproductive hormones at three months old.

8 Sep 2026

Paracetamol during pregnancy does not raise autism or ADHD risk

A sibling-matched study finds no link between prenatal paracetamol use and autism or ADHD, reassuring its safety when clinically indicated during pregnancy.

2 Jul 2026

Prenatal paracetamol use does not increase child neurodevelopmental risks

Researchers from the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), along with Aston Pharmacy School's Professor Ian Chi-Kei Wong, have shown that using paracetamol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy does not increase a child's risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention‑deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

1 Jul 2026

Melatonin may safely reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain, study finds

A sleep supplement widely used to treat insomnia could help reduce reliance on some of the most common and potentially harmful pain medications, new research from the University of Sydney suggests.

30 Jun 2026

Early paracetamol may speed up heart vessel closure in preterm babies

Early administration of paracetamol may accelerate closure of the patent ductus arteriosus in extremely preterm babies, according to a new study.

3 Jun 2026

Vitamin D deficiency linked to higher postoperative breast cancer pain

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with more moderate to severe pain following breast cancer surgery and an increased consumption of opioid drugs, finds research published online in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

19 May 2026

Study tracks surge in leucovorin after White House promotion

A White House briefing in September 2025 that raised concerns about acetaminophen use during pregnancy and promoted the drug leucovorin as a potential autism treatment was followed by sharp changes in how doctors prescribed those medications nationwide, according to a new study.

6 Mar 2026

The role of school health services in adolescent wellness

She has written a doctoral thesis on health-related quality of life among children and young people in Agder.

30 Jan 2026

Study finds no safety or efficacy gap between paracetamol and ibuprofen for neonatal PDA

In a UK pilot randomized trial, intravenous paracetamol and ibuprofen showed no statistically significant differences in short-term efficacy or safety when used as rescue therapy for hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in very preterm infants. The study demonstrated high feasibility but was not powered to determine clinical superiority or equivalence between treatments.

21 Jan 2026

Evidence shows no autism risk from paracetamol in pregnancy

Evidence from a comprehensive review shows no link between paracetamol in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental issues, supporting its safe use for pain management.

21 Jan 2026

Paracetamol use during pregnancy not linked to autism, ADHD or intellectual disability

Taking paracetamol during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or intellectual disability among children.

16 Jan 2026

No clear link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism or ADHD

Maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy shows weak links to autism and ADHD, with family factors playing a more significant role, offering reassurance.

3 Dec 2025

No, taking paracetamol while pregnant doesn’t cause autism or ADHD, major review finds

Researchers reviewed nine systematic reviews on paracetamol use during pregnancy and found that while some studies suggested links to ADHD or autism, the evidence was of low quality and confounded by shared familial factors. Sibling-controlled analyses showed no causal relationship between prenatal paracetamol exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

11 Nov 2025

Maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy not linked to autism or ADHD in children

Existing evidence does not clearly link paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy with autism or ADHD in children, finds an in-depth evidence review published by The BMJ today, in direct response to recent announcements around the safety of using paracetamol in pregnancy.

10 Nov 2025

New evidence reassures safety of acetaminophen use during pregnancy

A rigorous systematic review of the present state of knowledge on the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and the risk of specific neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism and ADHD, offers reassurance that acetaminophen does not increase the risk of NDDs.

6 Nov 2025

Cannabis extract eases chronic back pain and improves quality of life in major clinical trial

A phase 3 trial in Nature Medicine found that a full-spectrum Cannabis sativa extract (VER-01) significantly reduced chronic low back pain and improved sleep and function compared with placebo. The extract was safe, well-tolerated, and showed no signs of abuse or dependence, with benefits maintained over long-term treatment.

30 Sep 2025

WHO releases statement on acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that there is currently no conclusive scientific evidence confirming a possible link between autism and use of acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) during pregnancy.

24 Sep 2025

Common painkillers ibuprofen and paracetamol found to fuel antibiotic resistance

Ibuprofen and paracetamol are common over-the-counter medications that many of us reach for when we're sick. But new research from the University of South Australia shows that these trusted staples are quietly fuelling one of the world's biggest health threats: antibiotic resistance.

25 Aug 2025

Prenatal acetaminophen linked to higher risk of autism and ADHD

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have found that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in children.

14 Aug 2025

How a novel reaction in E. coli helps recycle plastic into paracetamol

Researchers have demonstrated that E. coli can perform a biocompatible Lossen rearrangement, enabling phosphate-catalysed conversion of synthetic substrates into valuable compounds. This approach allows engineered bacteria to upcycle PET plastic waste into paracetamol, highlighting a novel intersection of chemistry and biotechnology.

24 Jun 2025