The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) said on the 10th that if a high fever of 38 degrees Celsius or higher persists in early pregnancy, acetaminophen-based fever reducers and pain relievers may be taken. After consulting medical staff, if necessary, they may be taken without exceeding 4,000 mg per day. Tylenol, produced by Kenvue, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) in the United States, contains acetaminophen.
The MFDS and the Korea Institute of Drug Satety & Risk Management published a guidebook on appropriate use of medicines for pregnant women on this day. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that "taking Tylenol during pregnancy increases the risk of having an autistic child," but the agencies said medicine may be taken because leaving a high fever untreated is actually dangerous to the fetus.
If you have a headache at 20 to 30 weeks of pregnancy, you may take an ibuprofen-based medicine. However, take the minimum necessary and avoid taking it after 30 weeks of pregnancy. If you have a runny or stuffy nose, you may take cetirizine and chlorpheniramine, and for cough, dextromethorphan. The MFDS said, "If you have cold symptoms, it is important to get sufficient rest, drink fluids, and maintain appropriate humidity."
If constipation persists, you may take medicines containing psyllium husk or lactulose. Excessive weight loss during pregnancy should be avoided because it can affect fetal growth. In particular, diet supplements containing topiramate are not recommended because they can lead to fetal malformations. The MFDS said, "Use of medicines during pregnancy is directly linked to the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus," and added, "Be sure to consult a professional and check medicine safety information."