Sanford doctors free to recommend acetaminophen to pregnant patients

FARGO — In the wake of President Trump’s announcement about acetaminophen and a link to autism, doctors at Sanford health say they don’t plan on changing recommending the drug to pregnant women.

Acetaminophen is commonly used by pregnant women to deal with aches, pains, and also to handle fevers.

Sanford Health’s Chief Physician, Doug Griffin, says what medications a pregnant woman takes should be decided between patients and their doctor.

Griffin says that fevers can also cause complications in pregnancy and can sometimes result in miscarriage.

Other than acetaminophen, there are very few alternatives pregnant women can use without side effects.

Griffin says Sanford doctor’s will be free to continue recommending acetaminophen to their pregnant patients.

“Nothing has changed about the science overnight just because the president has spoken,” Griffin said. “We have good science, expert organizations like the American College of Obstetrics, the Association of Maternal Fetal Medicine. These are the experts (who) really have vetted this well. Good scientific studies. Acetaminophen, when used appropriately and judiciously, is safe in pregnancy.”

Griffin wants to stress that people should speak with their health care provider before taking any over the counter drugs or supplements.