Is it safe to take Paracetamol during pregnancy?

Question

Hi doctor,

My wife is suffering from fever and headache with common cold. Actually, we are trying for our second baby this time. Her date is expected after two days. We went to our local doctor and he prescribed Paracetamol and one another small tablet. Is it safe taking these medicines during this time? Kindly guide us.

Answer 1

Hello,

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If both of you are trying to conceive, then for common cold you may opt for conservative management with Paracetamol tablets for fever and saline warm water gargling thrice a day and steam inhalation twice a day. Also increase her water intake to 12-15 glasses a day, this shall help recover sooner. Paracetamol is safe for pregnancy and is free from any congenital side effects even if you conceive. Secondly, if the fever is not controlled and the cough worsens and sputum becomes yellow, then she can be given a three day course of capsule Azithromycin 500 mg once a day. It is also safe in early pregnancy though should be used restrictively. I believe the other small tablet prescribed to you may be tablet Cetirizine 5 mg twice a day, which is an antihistamine. It can be taken, but not for more than three days.