Washington, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump said at a White House event that taking Tylenol (Acetaminophen) during pregnancy may raise autism risk in children. He told pregnant women to avoid it unless they have a high fever. Trump ordered the FDA to add warnings to Tylenol labels.
With Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya by his side, Trump called autism an “epidemic.” He said it affects 1 in 31 U.S. kids, up nearly 400% since 2000, per CDC data. He pointed to studies from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Mount Sinai that suggest a link between Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism or ADHD. A 2025 study review recommended using the smallest dose for the shortest time.
Kennedy said the FDA will change Tylenol labels and start a public campaign. He also promoted Leucovorin, a folate supplement, as a possible autism treatment, citing studies on folate deficiencies in some autistic kids. He announced an NIH Autism Data Science Initiative to study 30 possible causes.
Trump hinted at reviewing childhood vaccine schedules, raising old autism concerns, but didn’t push for delays. The FDA sent a letter to doctors, noting some studies show a link but no proof Tylenol causes autism. It advised using the lowest dose for pain or fever. Officials said Tylenol is safer than drugs like ibuprofen during pregnancy.
This is the first time the U.S. government has tied Tylenol to autism risk, following a 2021 global statement urging less use in pregnancy.
