Trump Warns Pregnant Women Against Tylenol Use Despite Lack of Evidence Linking It to Autism
President Donald Trump has advised pregnant women to avoid using Tylenol, saying the pain reliever is linked to autism, despite there being no scientific evidence to back up the claim.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump called the rise in autism diagnoses a “horrible crisis” and said expectant mothers should only use Tylenol in extreme cases of fever.
Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen or paracetamol, is widely recommended as one of the safest pain relievers for pregnant women. Some studies have suggested a possible link between its use during pregnancy and autism in children, but the findings are inconsistent.
Kenvue, the company that makes Tylenol, dismissed the claims. In a statement to the BBC, the company said: “Independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism. We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers.”
FDA to Review Label
Kennedy said the FDA will send a physician notice about the “potential risks” of Tylenol use during pregnancy. He also said the agency will begin a review that could lead to updated warning labels and a public health awareness campaign.
Additionally, Kennedy announced the FDA will approve Leucovorin, a drug used to treat cancer, for use in some children with autism. He said studies show the drug can improve verbal communication in children with folate deficiency.
Medical researchers caution that while early trials of Leucovorin have shown promise, more large-scale studies are needed before any conclusions can be drawn.
Experts Push Back
Medical organizations are pushing back. Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the announcement “is not supported by the full body of scientific evidence and simplifies the complex causes of neurologic challenges in children.”
The group said Tylenol is one of the only pain relievers deemed safe for pregnant women. Other medical groups and global health authorities continue to recommend its use under medical supervision.More research is out. A 2023 Harvard study raised concerns about acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders. A 2024 Swedish study of 2.4 million children found no increased risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability from prenatal use of the drug.
Durham University’s Monique Botha said pregnant women already have limited safe pain relief options. “There is no evidence or studies to support a causal link.”
Autism Diagnoses Up
Autism diagnoses have gone up big time over the last 20 years. CDC data shows 2.77% of 8 year olds in 2020. Researchers say it’s due to broader diagnostic criteria and increased awareness, but environmental factors are still under investigation.
Kennedy has previously promoted debunked theories that vaccines cause autism and now promises a “massive testing and research effort” to find the cause in 5 months. But experts say autism is complex, genetic and environmental, with no single cause.
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Trump Warns Pregnant Women Against Tylenol Use Despite Lack of Evidence Linking It to Autism