From the Research
Repeated Acetaminophen Use in Infants
- There is limited research directly addressing the impact of repeated acetaminophen use on pain tolerance in infants.
- A study published in 2014 1 found that neonatal paracetamol exposure in mice resulted in altered locomotor activity and a failure to acquire spatial learning in adulthood, without affecting thermal nociceptive responding or anxiety-related behavior.
- The same study found that mice neonatally exposed to paracetamol failed to exhibit paracetamol-induced antinociceptive and anxiogenic-like behavior in adulthood, suggesting potential long-term effects on cognitive function and response to paracetamol.
- Other studies have focused on the efficacy and safety of acetaminophen in children, including its use for fever and pain relief 2, 3, 4, 5, but do not specifically address the question of repeated use and pain tolerance.
Potential Mechanisms
- Acetaminophen is known to act on the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in normal brain development 1.
- Changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in key brain regions during development may contribute to long-lasting effects on cognitive function and response to paracetamol 1.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of repeated acetaminophen use on pain tolerance in infants.
Clinical Implications
- The current evidence does not provide a clear answer to the question of whether repeated acetaminophen use in infants leads to reduced pain tolerance.
- Healthcare professionals should continue to follow established guidelines for the use of acetaminophen in infants, including recommended dosages and durations of treatment 2, 4.
- Further studies are needed to investigate the potential long-term effects of repeated acetaminophen use on pain tolerance and cognitive function in infants.