Tylenol, widely used for pain and fever, is now at the heart of the debate after Trump linked it to newborn autism. However, doctors and medical institutions claim that the drug remains safe if taken as directed.
US President Donald Trump has sparked the debate by advocating a link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism in children. Tylenol, also known as paracetamol or acetaminophen, is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter painkillers worldwide. Trump suggested that its use should be limited to extreme cases, but his statements go against the medical advice provided by major health groups. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulators consider it the safest option to treat pain and fever when used correctly during pregnancy. His comments leave mothers involved with many hopeful mothers, but experts continue to emphasize that there is no strong evidence to link Tylenol use to autism.
What is Tylenol and how is it used?
Tylenol is the brand name for acetaminophen, a drug well known internationally as paracetamol. It is one of the most widely used medicines in the world and is available without a prescription. People commonly use it to relieve headaches, muscle pain, back pain, colds, or fever. Pregnant women are often advised to take Tylenol as a safer option compared to other painkillers such as ibuprofen. However, dosages are important, and taking more than recommended amounts can cause harm to the liver and lead to serious health risks. For children, special formulations are present and caregivers are advised to strictly follow the instructions for administration of the package. Unless your doctor instructs you, adults should not use it for more than 10 days to treat pain or 3 days for fever.
Is autism rising in the US?
The number of children diagnosed with autism has been steadily increasing over the last few decades. In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified approximately one in 149 8-year-old children as autistic. By 2022, that number had risen to one-thirty-one. This condition is more common in boys who are three times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. Experts say this increase does not necessarily mean that autism is becoming more common, but it could reflect better perceptions, broader diagnostic criteria and improved access to healthcare services. Still, the numbers highlight growing health concerns in the United States.
Tylenol and Autism: What do experts say?
More than half of pregnant women worldwide use paracetamol-based medications at some point, primarily due to headaches, body pain, fever, or flu-like symptoms. Trump’s comments about risk have made many uneasy, but health experts say there is no scientific evidence that Tylenol’s use in pregnancy causes autism.
Stephen Fleischman, the US president of the US Obstetrician and Gynecologist (ACOG), criticizes the claims and calls them “irresponsible” and potentially harmful. “The suggestion that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism is misleading not only in clinicians but also in patients who may rely on this safe drug,” he said.
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) says there is no evidence to link the use of paracetamol in pregnancy to autism. Similarly, the Australian Treatment and Products Agency (TGA) has reaffirmed the safety of the medication if taken as directed.
What is autism?
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental condition that affects the way a person communicates, learns, and interacts with others. Symptoms can vary widely and are described as spectra. Some children may need important support in their daily lives, while others may live independently. In the United States, autism is recognized as a form of neurogenesis and disorder under the American Disability Act. According to the CDC, individuals with autism can think, learn and experience the world in a different way than most people. Challenges often include difficulties in social communication, sensory sensitivity, restrictive or repetitive behavior.
Autism: Symptoms and causes
There is no single cause for autism, but researchers believe it is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In addition to genetics, prenatal effects such as complications during pregnancy and parental age can also contribute. However, claims that link autism to drugs like paracetamol remain unproven.
Symptoms of autism generally appear during the first two years of life. These include delayed speech, difficult eye contact, limited social interaction, and repetitive behaviors such as hand flaps and strict routines. Some children may exhibit extraordinary skills in memory, mathematics, or art, while struggling with daily social communication. Because symptoms vary widely, autism is called the spectrum, and each child’s needs and challenges are unique.
