"Hidden caffeine" in paracetamol (US = acetaminophen) and other painkillers

[Lara310809]

Hello ladies, I hope you don't mind me posting this. We all know that we need to limit our caffeine intake during pregnancy. Too much caffeine can cause miscarriage, as well as low birthweight babies, that may lead to health problems in later life.

As someone that suffers from regular migraines (both in and out of pregnancy), I am one to take paracetamol fairly regularly. In my last pregnancy I was taking Panadol Extra for my migraines, until I realised that the caffeine they contained was pushing me over my daily limit. When I started taking it I didn't even realise it contained caffeine!

The daily limit for caffeine while you're pregnant is 200mg

Each tablet of Panadol Extra (for example) contains 65mg of caffeine. If you have two tablets (one standard dose) you are taking in 130mg. If you take the full dose of 8 tablets in 24hrs you're having 520mg - over double the safe limit.

Occasional use isn't a problem, but for those ladies, like me, who have ongoing problems and require painkillers fairly regularly, PLEASE double check that you're taking a caffeine-free version.

If you also drink tea, coffee, coke etc, then your intake ups again. I used to take my dose with a glass of Coke (the sugar/caffeine/paracetamol mix would usually help kick the migraine), so I dread to think how much I'd be having.

I'm not trying to scare you all; I just want you to be aware that caffeine is easily hidden in products.

I got this online:

•one mug of instant coffee: 100mg
•one mug of filter coffee: 140mg
•one mug of tea: 75mg
•one can of cola: 40mg
•one can of energy drink: up to 80mg
•one 50g bar of plain chocolate: up to 50mg
•one 50g bar of milk chocolate: up to 25mg

https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/limit-ca...CategoryID=130

 

[fairsinger]

I checked the USA's Tylenol website and it says our Tylenol does not contain caffeine:
https://www.tylenol.com/safety_new/frequently_asked_questions

(Tylenol is our name brand acetaminophen here.)

 

[Gemie]

There is no caffeine in normal paracetamol but the Is in ones that say 'extra' or something like that on them, if you read the back it tells you anyway.

 

[Lara310809]

I know there is no caffeine in regular paracetamol; I mean the "extra" or "plus" versions. Most people don't realise they contain caffeine; which is why I mention it. People just hear that paracetamol is safe to take in pregnancy, so they buy it without looking on the pack.

 

[LoraLoo]

I didnt realise this either. Ive had a paracetamol today as had a banging head for 3 days, but luckily was just the normal one.

 

[Jess137]

In the US the only medication that contains acetaminophen and caffeine is Excedrin (or store brands of it) and it also contains aspirin, so you can't take it when pg anyway. I've never seen a product in the US that has ONLY acetaminophen and caffeine.

Just an FYI for US ladies

 

[lau86]

I know there is no caffeine in regular paracetamol; I mean the "extra" or "plus" versions. Most people don't realise they contain caffeine; which is why I mention it. People just hear that paracetamol is safe to take in pregnancy, so they buy it without looking on the pack.

Idk about that, I always knew it had caffeine and some have aspirin. The ones we get it is quite clear, I think it is on the front. Thanks for the warning though!

 

[Lara310809]

A lot of people don't look on the packaging though; they assume because its paracetamol then it's safe.

Like I said, just a friendly heads up...

 

[butterflywolf]

I always look on the label. However, I need caffeine otherwise I get tension headaches. Usually I don't need anything much, either one tablet will do it when I get one or a can of soda. In a week I have about 3 cans of soda or less (including the acetaminophen). The one I take is a walgreens brand that is basically just acetaminophen and caffeine, no aspirin at all. however I usually just drink a can of soda when I get one and my doctor says go for it. I'm one of the 'unlucky' people that easily gets tension headaches. At first I thought it was migraines since I was use to getting those. Thanks to being pregnant they switched to tension headaches. At least there is stuff I can take to fix them easily enough.