Trump and aides link Tylenol ingredient with autism

President Donald Trump, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other health officials warned pregnant women against using acetaminophen, found in Tylenol, linking it to autism in children.

Trump said the FDA will update warning labels and issue guidance limiting use in pregnant women to cases like high fever. Meanwhile, RFK Jr. announced a nationwide campaign urging doctors to prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest time.

The move comes despite the medical community voicing that most scientific studies have found no connection between Tylenol use and autism.

Kenvue’s Tylenol is one of the world’s most common pain relievers. The drugmaker disputed the move, warning that untreated fever and pain during pregnancy pose serious risks to mothers and infants.

The Trump administration’s policy stems from an NIH-funded August review by Mount Sinai and Harvard researchers, covering 46 studies. It suggested prolonged use (four weeks or longer) of acetaminophen during pregnancy may increase risks of autism or ADHD in the child.

In contrast, a 2024 JAMA study of 2.5 million Swedish children found no link when comparing siblings, where one was exposed in utero and the other was not.

At the same briefing, the FDA approved the leucovorin drug treatment for autism. Though not a cure, HHS said children may continue with it if they show improvements. Medicaid programs will cover it, and the NIH will run new trials.