WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump announced Monday that the Food and Drug Administration would begin advising doctors against acetaminophen use during pregnancy, citing unproven connections between the pain reliever known as Tylenol and autism, prompting immediate criticism from medical organizations that disputed the claims.
Speaking at the White House, Trump advised women not to take acetaminophen during their “entire pregnancy” and said the FDA would notify doctors that the medication’s use “can be associated” with increased autism risk, though he did not provide supporting medical evidence during his announcement.
“Don’t take Tylenol,” Trump said emphatically of the bestselling acetaminophen brand. “There’s no downside. Don’t take it.”
However, Trump’s absolute prohibition went far beyond the more measured language published by his own health regulators. An FDA letter released during the afternoon news conference stated only that doctors “should consider minimizing the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy.”
The FDA letter referenced recent evidence suggesting an association between the pain reliever and conditions including autism and attention deficit disorder, but included the critical qualifier that “a causal relationship has not been established.”
The announcement drew swift condemnation from medical professionals who emphasized the importance of treating fever during pregnancy. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine warned that untreated fevers, particularly during the first trimester, increase risks for miscarriages, preterm birth and other complications.
Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, characterized suggestions linking Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism as “irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients.”
“Today’s announcement by HHS is not backed by the full body of scientific evidence and dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children,” Fleischman said in a statement. “It is highly unsettling that our federal health agencies are willing to make an announcement that will affect the health and well-being of millions of people without the backing of reliable data.”
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has long recommended acetaminophen as a safe pain relief option during pregnancy, noting that medical experts consider untreated fever during pregnancy to carry significant risks including miscarriage and birth defects.
Trump also raised unfounded concerns about vaccines contributing to rising autism rates, which affects 1 in 31 U.S. children according to the CDC. Scientists and leading autism advocacy groups have thoroughly debunked any connection between vaccines and autism through extensive research over decades.
Kenvue Inc., which manufactures Tylenol, strongly disagreed with suggestions that the medication causes autism. “Sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism,” the company said in a statement, citing scientific reviews by government regulators worldwide, including previous FDA assessments.
The controversy immediately affected financial markets, with Kenvue shares falling 7.5 percent Monday, reducing the company’s market value by approximately $2.6 billion. Johnson & Johnson spun off the Tylenol brand to Kenvue in 2023.
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine emphasized ahead of Trump’s announcement that while research has examined potential links between Tylenol use during pregnancy and increased autism risk in children, such studies “do not establish a causal relationship” and contain significant limitations.
Trump said the FDA would strongly recommend pregnant women avoid Tylenol unless “medically necessary,” adding that “ideally you don’t take it at all.” The recommendation contradicts established medical guidance from obstetric professionals who consider fever treatment essential for maternal and fetal health.
U.S. physicians are not bound by FDA guidance and maintain authority to prescribe and recommend medications for appropriate uses. Medical experts stressed that the risks of untreated fever during pregnancy are well-documented and significant.
The Washington Post had reported Monday that the Trump administration planned to link autism to acetaminophen use during pregnancy, prompting preemptive statements from medical organizations defending the medication’s safety profile.
Acetaminophen appears in hundreds of over-the-counter cold and flu medications beyond the Tylenol brand, potentially affecting widespread medication access if patients follow Trump’s absolute prohibition rather than consulting healthcare providers.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between political messaging and established medical consensus, with healthcare professionals emphasizing the importance of evidence-based treatment decisions during pregnancy.
Trump’s announcement occurred several minutes into his remarks without presenting supporting medical evidence for the FDA’s new position. The disconnect between the president’s categorical warnings and the FDA’s more cautious language reflected broader questions about the scientific basis for the policy change.
Medical organizations emphasized that autism has complex and multiple causes that remain incompletely understood by researchers. The suggestion that a single medication could be definitively linked to autism development oversimplifies current scientific understanding of the condition.
The announcement represents a significant departure from decades of medical consensus regarding acetaminophen safety during pregnancy. Healthcare providers have consistently recommended the medication as appropriate for managing pain and fever when used as directed.
The timing and presentation of Trump’s announcement raised questions about the coordination between political messaging and regulatory science, particularly given the absence of new research findings to support the policy shift.
Pregnant women seeking guidance on pain and fever management now face conflicting messages from federal officials and their healthcare providers, potentially complicating medical decision-making during a critical period of fetal development.
The medical community’s unified opposition to Trump’s claims underscores the importance of consulting healthcare professionals rather than relying solely on political announcements for pregnancy-related medical guidance.
