Trump Links Tylenol to Autism: Experts Push Back

US President Donald Trump recently made headlines by claiming a link between the pain reliever Tylenol and autism in children, urging pregnant women to "fight like hell" and only use the medication in cases of extreme fever.

Speaking on Monday, Trump said taking Tylenol — known as paracetamol outside the US — "is no good" for expectant mothers. The comments, however, have been widely challenged by medical experts who caution that the claims are not supported by robust scientific evidence.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated: "I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this." Similarly, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists disputed the claims. Its president, Dr Steven Fleischman, explained that the idea is "not backed by the full body of scientific evidence and dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children."

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also responded, using more measured language. In guidance to doctors, the agency acknowledged that while some studies have suggested an association between acetaminophen and autism, "a causal relationship has not been established and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature."

Speaking alongside Trump, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. indicated that the FDA would begin the process of updating safety labels and launching a public health campaign to raise awareness.

Tylenol, manufactured by Kenvue, remains one of the most commonly used pain relief medications in the US, Canada, and beyond. In response to the claims, the company stated: "We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers."

Kennedy also mentioned plans to approve leucovorin, a drug traditionally used to protect cancer patients from chemotherapy toxicity, for potential use in children with autism. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary highlighted early research suggesting benefits for children with folate deficiencies, but scientists have emphasized that these findings are preliminary.

Autism is a complex condition with no single known cause, widely thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Experts warn that linking it to a single medication oversimplifies decades of research. Monique Botha, a professor at Durham University, stated: "There is no robust evidence or convincing studies to suggest there is any causal relationship."

The National Autistic Society also criticized the claims as "irresponsible," emphasizing that misinformation risks undermining scientific research and devaluing autistic individuals.

Many pregnant women, like Haley Drenon from Austin, Texas, expressed concern. She said: "This announcement, if made without the proper context, would worry a lot of other people as well. It seems a little unnecessary just because the headlines are clear that the data is not irrefutable."

Autism diagnoses have increased in recent decades, partly due to greater awareness and broader diagnostic criteria. Researchers continue to investigate potential environmental and genetic contributors, but health officials stress that Tylenol remains the safest option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy when used as directed.