Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 different over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription (Rx) medicines. It is a temporary fever reducer and pain reliever for mild to moderate pain caused by headaches and migraines, muscle aches, back pain, arthritis and joint pain, the common cold, toothaches, and premenstrual and menstrual cramps. If your pain gets worse or lasts for more than 10 days, or if your fever worsens or lasts more than three days, stop use and talk to a healthcare provider.

Yes, acetaminophen is safe when used as directed. It is the most commonly used drug ingredient in America and is relied upon to relieve pain and reduce fever. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is safe and effective at recommended doses for people ages 2 years and older. For people under the age of 2, consult your healthcare provider.

As with any medicine, acetaminophen must be used according to the directions on the OTC medicine’s Drug Facts label or the prescription medicine’s label. You should never take a larger dose or use the medicine for longer than the label instructs. In addition, it is important to make sure you are taking only one medicine that contains acetaminophen at the same time. Taking more than the recommended amount is an overdose and can lead to liver damage. Always read and follow the label.

Acetaminophen comes in many forms, shapes, and strengths, including liquids, pills, gel caps, powders, and IV fluids. It is found in both prescription and OTC medicines. Always check your OTC and prescription labels to see if your medicines contain acetaminophen. For a photo library of medicines, please visit the National Library of Medicine.

Forms of Acetaminophen

Shapes of Acetaminophen

8-sided

Capsule

Round

Elliptical

Acetaminophen is found in more than 600 different prescription and OTC medicines, including pain relievers; fever reducers; sleep aids; and cold, flu, and allergy medicines.

OTC medicines that contain acetaminophen always list the ingredient on the Drug Facts label in the active ingredient section. The word acetaminophen may be highlighted to draw your attention to it. It will also be written on the front of the package. It is important to know that prescription medicines might use an abbreviation for acetaminophen on their labels, such as “APAP,” “acetam,” or another shortened version of the word. All of these mean that acetaminophen is in the medicine.

You can find a list of some common medicines that contain acetaminophen here and learn more about how to read medicine labels here. You should always consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions about active ingredients.

Talk to your healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen if you drink more than three alcoholic drinks every day or if you have liver disease. Under these conditions, taking acetaminophen puts you at greater risk of getting liver damage, even when taking acetaminophen at the recommended dose.

If you take the blood thinner warfarin, you should talk to your healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen because taking warfarin and acetaminophen together may increase your risk of bleeding. As with any medicine, ask a healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Taking too much acetaminophen is an overdose and can lead to liver damage. If you think you have taken too much acetaminophen or have given too much acetaminophen to someone you care for, contact a healthcare provider or the nationwide poison control helpline immediately at 1-800-222-1222.

Scientific and medical authorities around the world recognize acetaminophen as the only pain reliever and fever reducer considered safe for use throughout an entire pregnancy when used according to the Drug Facts label, which specifically reminds pregnant women to always consult their healthcare provider before use. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that: “Acetaminophen remains a safe, trusted option for pain relief during pregnancy.”

High or long-lasting fevers can harm both the mother and baby and should be taken very seriously. Risks associated with leaving a fever untreated include birth defects, preterm labor, miscarriage, dehydration, or problems with the placenta, which significantly outweigh the risk of treatment.

No, there is no proven causal link between acetaminophen use and autism. While some studies have found association between frequent or prolonged use during pregnancy and increased risk of neurodevelopment disorders like autism and ADHD, these do not establish causation. Major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of of Pediatrics (AAP), affirm that acetaminophen is safe to use during pregnancy and in children when used as directed and under the guidance of a health care provider.

The CDC and leading medical experts agree acetaminophen is the safest analgesic to use during pregnancy for short-term pain relief, and recommend women to be cautious about overuse, which is why it is always recommended to follow the Drug Facts label and speak to your healthcare provider.

– CDC Yellow Book (Current as of April 23, 2025): “Acetaminophen remains the non-opioid analgesic of choice during pregnancy.”

– FDA’s Acetaminophen Page (Current as of August 14, 2025): “To date, FDA has not found clear evidence that appropriate use of acetaminophen during pregnancy causes adverse pregnancy, birth, neurobehavioral, or developmental outcomes.”

– American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Current as of September 22, 2025): “In more than two decades of research on the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy, not a single reputable study has successfully concluded that the use acetaminophen in any trimester of pregnancy causes neurodevelopmental disorders in children.”

– American Academy of Pediatrics (Current as of September 22, 2025): “Decades of research have found that acetaminophen is safe for children when administered as recommended. Misleading claims that the medicine is not safe and is linked to increased rates of autism send a confusing, dangerous message to parents and expectant parents and does a disservice to autistic individuals.”

Additionally, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Health, a professional organization for obstetricians with subspecialty training in maternal-fetal medicine, stated on September 25, 2025 that it: “…continues to advise physicians and patients that acetaminophen is an appropriate medication to treat pain and fever during pregnancy…the weight of scientific evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy causes an increased risk for autism or ADHD is simply inconclusive…”