Washington: United States President Donald Trump has urged doctors to stop prescribing the common painkiller Tylenol to pregnant women, citing a disputed link between the drug and autism. Known as paracetamol outside North America, Tylenol was described by Trump as “no good”, urging expectant mothers to “fight like hell” to take it only in cases of extreme fever.
The remarks, made from the Oval Office, have been strongly criticised by medical experts, with some calling them dangerous. UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting responded: “I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this.” UK health officials continue to regard paracetamol as the safest option for pain relief during pregnancy, reports the BBC.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists rejected Trump’s claims, with its president, Dr Steven Fleischman, stating that the link “is not backed by the full body of scientific evidence” and oversimplifies autism’s causes.
No clear evidence
The group added: “Studies that have been conducted in the past, show no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during any trimester and fetal developmental issues.”
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in a more cautious approach, recommended limiting Tylenol use in pregnancy but acknowledged it remains the safest over-the-counter option for pain and fever. The FDA clarified that “a causal relationship has not been established” between acetaminophen and autism.
Speaking alongside Trump, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr announced that the FDA would launch a public health campaign and initiate a safety label change for Tylenol.
Spreading misinformation
He also said the agency plans to approve leucovorin — typically used during chemotherapy — as a treatment for children with autism. However, researchers caution that evidence supporting this use is still in early stages.
A 2023 Harvard-led review found a possible link between prenatal Tylenol exposure and autism, though researchers advised caution and stressed its importance in managing maternal pain. Meanwhile, a 2024 Swedish study of 2.4 million children found no such link.
Experts, including the UK’s National Autistic Society, have condemned the claims as “irresponsible” and warned against spreading misinformation. “The incessant misinformation about autism from President Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr risks undermining decades of research,” the group said.
