US President Donald Trump has urged pregnant women to avoid Tylenol, citing a disputed link between the pain reliever and autism in children. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump was joined by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will soon issue guidance for doctors and pursue new safety labeling.
Tylenol, known internationally as paracetamol or acetaminophen, is widely considered the safest pain reliever for expectant mothers. While some studies suggest a possible association with autism, findings have been inconsistent and inconclusive. A large-scale Swedish study published in 2024 found no connection between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.
Drug manufacturer Kenvue, which produces Tylenol, strongly defended its safety record. In a statement, the company stressed that “sound science clearly shows acetaminophen does not cause autism,” warning that discouraging its use could endanger mothers by pushing them toward less safe alternatives.
Kennedy added that the FDA would soon approve Leucovorin, a decades-old cancer drug, for experimental use in children with autism. Early studies suggest Leucovorin, a form of folinic acid, may improve verbal communication in some autistic children with folate deficiencies. However, researchers caution that the evidence is preliminary and further trials are needed.
Medical experts pushed back strongly against Trump’s remarks. Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the claims “are not backed by the full body of scientific evidence” and risk misleading families. He emphasized that acetaminophen remains one of the only safe pain relief options available during pregnancy.
Autism rates have risen significantly in recent decades, though scientists attribute much of the increase to better awareness and diagnostic criteria. Most researchers agree that autism is caused by a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors, not a single drug exposure.
For now, health professionals continue to recommend Tylenol as a safe option for pregnant women when used as directed, urging caution against unproven claims that could spark unnecessary fear.
