Transcript: ABC Radio Adelaide - Paracetamol safe pain relief option during pregnancy

Transcript: AMA SA President Associate Professor Peter Subramaniam on ABC Radio Drive with Nikolai Beilharz.

(24 September, 2025)

Subjects: paracetamol, medical evidence, pregnancy, autism 

Nikolai Beilharz: You may have been hearing in the news, the US President Donald Trump has spoken publicly claiming that pregnant women should limit their use of paracetamol, which is usually branded as Tylenol in the US. He said it heightens the risk of autism when it's used by pregnant women. Medical authorities here in Australia have pushed back on that, saying they're worried about people potentially not taking medicine they may need after hearing the US president speak. So how does that play out here in South Australia? A/Prof Peter Subramaniam is president of the AMA in SA. Peter Subramaniam, good afternoon to you.

A/Prof Peter Subramaniam: Good afternoon, Nikolai. Good afternoon to your listeners.

Nikolai Beilharz: How powerful can the words of a sitting US President be in a situation like this? Is there the potential that, although he's on the other side of the world, some people in Adelaide, some people in South Australia may take what he's saying pretty seriously?

A/Prof Peter Subramaniam: I guess that is the reality of modern life, where we have so many channels of communication coming at us—some solicited, some unsolicited. But I think the announcement this morning by the US President really doesn't change anything for us here in Australia, where we have a long history of following medical advice. Pregnant women are advised to continue using paracetamol. It's not just the AMA saying this; it's the TGA as well, because we know it's effective in the treatment of pain or fever in pregnancy. Now, of course, Nikolai, it's appropriate to question the advice that you get. But when there is clear, incontrovertible advice such as this, we strongly recommend following the health advice rather than that from other sources.

Nikolai Beilharz: Is there also a fear that some women who are pregnant may not make that call to their doctor to say, “Look, I've got questions—what should I be taking, what should I not be?” and opt not to take medicine that they or their unborn child may actually really need?

A/Prof Peter Subramaniam: Yeah, I think that's always the risk, which is why a consistent message has been to speak to your GP. In the situation you're talking about, fevers can be linked to adverse outcomes in pregnancy. So it is important that women feel comfortable treating fever in pregnancy by using Panadol or paracetamol, and that that’s not changed by non-medical advice. So yes, you are correct. We make a choice—we get the advice and we decide whether to follow it or not. But it's important that advice is scientific and evidence-based. And in this instance, there is no basis for the fear that has been created by someone a long way away from Australia. 

Nikolai Beilharz: Am I right too in saying that one of the challenges, particularly around paracetamol, is that there aren't a whole lot of other medications that are seen to be appropriate for managing pain during pregnancy? Because there's obviously things like ibuprofen as well.

A/Prof Peter Subramaniam: Yes, you're quite correct there. Paracetamol is a pregnancy category A medicine in Australia. What that means is it's considered safe for use in pregnancy. And as I said, the TGA came out again to confirm that. Other drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen in pregnancy are not safe. And that is the reason why paracetamol is the most commonly advised safe drug to take during pregnancy. 

Nikolai Beilharz: And that can be important, as I touched on—obviously if the mother is feeling unwell, but potentially, of course, everyone will be thinking about the care of the child too.

A/Prof Peter Subramaniam: Yes. And I think it's also important to understand what has been purported to link it to is autism. Now, the cause of autism is unknown and it's likely to be a mix of genetic and environmental factors. But the taking of Panadol in pregnancy has not been proven to be the cause of autism. And I feel it's quite important because this is a very sensitive issue—there is stigma attached to the diagnosis, stigma attached to what pregnant women do during pregnancy. So I think the advice has to be measured, it has to be accurate, and it shouldn't be based on anything other than science. 

Nikolai Beilharz: So just to reiterate that and kind of underline it—paracetamol remains safe for use in pregnancy. If people do have questions, get in touch with one of their medical professionals.
 

A/Prof Peter Subramaniam: Absolutely. That is the clear message. Take Panadol if you need it, if you're pregnant, and if you're uncertain, just speak with your GP. 

Nikolai Beilharz: Peter Subramaniam, thank you for your time this afternoon.