The Trump administration acknowledged on Monday that using Tylenol throughout being pregnant could also be linked to an elevated danger of autism.
In a press convention on the White Home, President Donald Trump stated the Meals and Drug Administration will start notifying physicians instantly that it’s “strongly recommending that ladies restrict Tylenol use throughout being pregnant until medically vital.”
“They’re strongly recommending that ladies restrict Tylenol use throughout being pregnant until medically vital,” Trump stated. “That is, as an example, in circumstances of extraordinarily excessive fever.”
Research on this query haven’t proven a direct trigger and impact. Some research level to a potential hyperlink, however main medical teams have evaluated the proof and proceed to advocate acetaminophen because the most secure painkiller throughout being pregnant.
President Donald Trump alongside Secretary of Well being and Human Providers Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Mehmet Oz speaks about autism on the White Home in Washington, Sept. 22, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP through Getty Photographs
Trump and his well being officers stated that the FDA would replace the label for acetaminophen, generally often known as Tylenol, to “replicate potential advantages in lowering some autism signs.”
In a press release, Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American Faculty of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), stated the medical group continues to advocate acetaminophen because the most secure painkiller throughout being pregnant.
“Options that acetaminophen use in being pregnant causes autism are usually not solely extremely regarding to clinicians but in addition irresponsible when contemplating the dangerous and complicated message they ship to pregnant sufferers, together with those that might must depend on this useful medication throughout being pregnant,” Fleischman stated.
“In the present day’s announcement by HHS just isn’t backed by the total physique of scientific proof and dangerously simplifies the numerous and sophisticated causes of neurologic challenges in youngsters. It’s extremely unsettling that our federal well being companies are keen to make an announcement that may have an effect on the well being and well-being of hundreds of thousands of individuals with out the backing of dependable information,” the assertion continued.
In a press release from Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, on Sunday, the corporate stated it believes analysis reveals that acetaminophen doesn’t trigger autism.
“We strongly disagree with any suggestion in any other case and are deeply involved with the well being danger this poses for anticipating moms,” the assertion learn. “Acetaminophen is the most secure ache reliever possibility for pregnant girls as wanted all through their total being pregnant. With out it, girls face harmful selections: undergo via situations like fever which can be doubtlessly dangerous to each mother and child or use riskier options.
Secretary of Well being and Human Providers Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivers remarks on autism whereas President Donald Trump listens, on the White Home, in Washington, September 22, 2025.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs
The administration additionally introduced on Monday that it’s beginning an approval course of for a drug referred to as leucovorin, regardless of restricted proof of profit.
Leucovorin, which is usually used as a part of most cancers care, has proven early promise in a handful of small research suggesting it might assist the signs of some youngsters with autism.
Sometimes, extra strong research could be required for a brand new FDA approval. Docs say there may very well be some promise for this drug, however warning that extra analysis is required to grasp how a lot — and even whether or not — this drug helps sure youngsters.
Within the press launch, GSK, the maker of the drug, didn’t point out autism by identify however stated it’s beginning a course of to develop the approval.
In the course of the press convention on Monday, Trump and Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. additionally advised the childhood vaccine schedule might contribute to autism, contradicting years of analysis that has discovered no hyperlink between the 2.
It is a growing story. Please test again for updates.
