The Trump administration said on Monday that the usage of Tylenol throughout being pregnant could also be linked to an elevated threat 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 girls restrict Tylenol use throughout being pregnant except medically crucial.”
“They’re strongly recommending that girls restrict Tylenol use throughout being pregnant except medically crucial,” Trump stated. “That is, for example, in instances 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 by way of Getty Pictures
Trump and his well being officers stated that the FDA would replace the label for acetaminophen, generally generally known as Tylenol, to “replicate potential advantages in lowering some autism signs.”
In an announcement, Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American School of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), stated the medical group continues to advocate acetaminophen because the most secure painkiller throughout being pregnant.
“Recommendations that acetaminophen use in being pregnant causes autism will not be 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 have to depend on this useful drugs throughout being pregnant,” Fleischman stated.
“Immediately’s announcement by HHS isn’t backed by the complete physique of scientific proof and dangerously simplifies the various and complicated causes of neurologic challenges in kids. It’s extremely unsettling that our federal well being businesses are prepared to make an announcement that can have an effect on the well being and well-being of thousands and thousands of individuals with out the backing of dependable knowledge,” the assertion continued.
In an announcement 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 threat this poses for anticipating moms,” the assertion learn. “Acetaminophen is the most secure ache reliever possibility for pregnant girls as wanted all through their whole being pregnant. With out it, girls face harmful selections: endure 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 Pictures
The administration additionally introduced on Monday that it’s beginning an approval course of for a drug known 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 could assist the signs of some kids 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 kids.
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 increase the approval.
Through the press convention on Monday, Trump and Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. additionally urged the childhood vaccine schedule may contribute to autism, contradicting years of analysis that has discovered no hyperlink between the 2.
It is a growing story. Please examine again for updates.
