Tylenol, known generically as paracetamol in Britain and acetaminophen in the US, has recently come under intense scrutiny following resurfaced claims linking its use during pregnancy to autism. The controversy ignited after President Donald Trump publicly suggested a connection between the common painkiller and autism, stating, "if you're pregnant, don't take Tylenol" at a White House conference.

This was amplified when the official White House account on X (formerly Twitter) controversially reposted a 2017 Tylenol tweet that stated, "We actually don't recommend taking any of our products while pregnant," alongside an image of President Trump holding a hat reading "Trump Was Right About Everything."

Photo Credit: X, Formerly Twitter

This wave of claims provoked significant outrage and strong rebuttals from the medical and scientific community. Doctors, including Dr. Nechama Sorscher, a leading pediatric neuropsychologist, asserted that there is "no robust evidence" and that research "does not prove definitive causation" between acetaminophen and autism. Britain's regulator, the MHRA, explicitly stressed, "There is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children." Similarly, scientists on both sides of the Atlantic reacted with skepticism, warning that such claims risk stigmatizing parents of children with autism.

Kenvue, the manufacturer of Tylenol, responded by clarifying that the eight-year-old consumer response in the reposted tweet was "incomplete and did not address our full guidance on the safe use of Tylenol." A Kenvue spokesman affirmed that paracetamol and acetaminophen remain among the safest painkiller options for pregnant women, although they stressed that any over-the-counter medicine should only be taken after consulting a doctor. Current Tylenol packaging advises, "If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use," a warning echoed by paracetamol packets in the UK.

Medical organizations and health authorities continue to uphold the safety of paracetamol when used appropriately during pregnancy. The NHS recommends paracetamol as the "first choice" painkiller during pregnancy for short periods and at the lowest effective dose. The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) also affirmed its safety and benefits, stating that acetaminophen is "one of the few options available to pregnant patients to treat pain and fever, which can be harmful to pregnant people when left untreated." They called suggestions linking acetaminophen to autism "irresponsible" due to the harmful and confusing message it sends to expecting mothers.

Photo Credit: X, Formerly Twitter

While researchers have explored a possible connection between paracetamol/acetaminophen and autism for years, studies suggesting a link to higher rates of autism or ADHD have been inconsistent. Experts stress that any association is based on limited and conflicting evidence. A recent study from Mount Sinai and Harvard, published last month, urged women to take paracetamol during pregnancy only on a doctor's advice. However, its authors acknowledged that the evidence was not conclusive and emphasized that their results did not prove direct causation of neurodevelopmental disorders, calling the Trump administration's interpretation "spreading misinformation" about their work.

The controversy also garnered political and social reactions. Senior British politicians, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, swiftly dismissed Trump's comments, urging the public to follow medical science to avoid creating fear and anxiety. Dr. Mehmet Oz, an administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), attempted to soften President Trump's warning, advising to "Take Tylenol when it's appropriate." Social media influencers, such as Brittany Xavier, also addressed the growing debate, with Xavier stating she never uses Tylenol in her household.

Prior to Trump's public announcement, Kenvue had made repeated attempts to head off the claims, with interim chief executive Kirk Perry meeting with US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr to advocate for the product's safety. Tylenol is a prominent brand among over 600 medicines containing paracetamol or acetaminophen. This is not the first time Tylenol has faced significant public scrutiny; in the early 1980s, the brand faced a national panic after seven people died in Chicago from poisoned capsules, leading to the introduction of tamper-proof packaging that became an industry standard.