Trump’s autism announcement: Linking Tylenol to autism, contradicting doctors who say it is safe

During remarks from the White House, the Trump administration is likely to unveil new efforts to explore how a painkiller and a fever reliever may be linked to autism, contradicting major medical groups.

The painkiller paracetamol or acetaminophen is one of the most commonly consumed drugs during pregnancy. About half of the pregnant women use it during their pregnancy journeys worldwide. 

However, on Monday, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) declared that it would add a new warning label on this drug. The authority has cited a possible association between the consumption of paracetamol and autism in children. This drug is called Tylenol in the United States.

The USA President, Donald Trump, said, “Don’t take Tylenol”. He further added, “Fight like hell not to take it”. The President also claimed that one in 12 boys is now diagnosed with autism, which is the most alarming public health development in history.


Major medical groups found that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is likely to be safe, but advised pregnant women to consult with their physicians before consuming it, as is the case with any drug during pregnancy.

Tylenol maker Kenvue has defended the consumption of this drug during pregnancy. It stated that they believe independent, sound science clearly shows that ingesting acetaminophen does not cause autism in children. They strongly refuse any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health factors affecting pregnant mothers.

It added that acetaminophen is the safest ingredient in Tylenol, and it is a good pain-relieving option for pregnant mothers. Without it, women may face dangerous conditions like suffering from high fever or consuming riskier drugs alternatively.

On Monday’s Trump paracetamol announcement, the US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged that autism has many probable causes. FDA Commissioner Martin Makary stated that, in some cases, insufficient transport of the nutrient folate into the brain has been linked with the traits of autism. 

Kennedy, a long-time anti-vaccine advocate, and Trump focused their full attention on two other factors, which they said could be linked to autism. These include acetaminophen and vaccines. Decades of research have found that there is no reproducible link between autism and vaccines.

Scientists say that there is no such robust evidence proving that acetaminophen may cause autism. A psychologist, Helen Tager-Flusberg, who studied autism at Boston University, said that the better-controlled studies are less likely to find even a small risk, and there could be a minor association of autism and acetaminophen.