US President Donald Trump warned pregnant women against taking Tylenol. He claimed the drug might be linked to autism. He told mothers to use it only for extreme fever.
Doctors quickly disagreed. Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said no strong evidence links Tylenol to developmental problems in children. Medical groups worldwide still call it the safest painkiller during pregnancy.
Tylenol, also called acetaminophen, is widely used in the US, Canada, and other countries. Kenvue, the company that makes Tylenol, said acetaminophen does not cause autism. They warned that avoiding it could put expecting mothers at risk.
Trump spoke with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said the FDA will inform doctors about potential risks. Kennedy also mentioned testing leucovorin, a vitamin-based treatment, for children with autism. Researchers caution that studies are still in early stages.
Some studies suggested a link between Tylenol and autism, but others, including a large Swedish study of 2.4 million children, found no connection. Scientists say autism comes from a mix of genetic and environmental factors.
Experts stress that pregnant women should not avoid Tylenol when needed. It helps treat fever and pain safely.
