In September 2025, President Trump advised pregnant women to avoid Tylenol, claiming it might increase the risk of autism in babies. This statement echoed concerns that many had, but scientists quickly pointed out that there is no solid evidence to support this link.
Following the announcement, usage of Tylenol, or acetaminophen, in emergency rooms dropped by 10% among pregnant women, according to a study published in The Lancet. Interestingly, there was no similar decline seen in non-pregnant women. Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and a co-author of the study, noted that the shift in medication ordering occurred almost immediately after the president’s comments.
Dr. Faust mentioned that the decline in Tylenol orders may stem from both patients hesitating to take it and doctors prescribing it less. He highlighted the potential consequences, saying, “This is thousands of women not getting pain control or not getting fever reduction when they need it.”
Dr. Caleb Alexander, an epidemiology professor at Johns Hopkins, emphasized the power of words, especially when spoken by someone with a large platform. “Words matter,” he stated. However, he found it reassuring that the study indicated Tylenol use returned to normal levels by December. This suggests that while immediate reactions can be strong, they often don’t lead to long-term changes.
Despite discussions about updating Tylenol’s label, there’s been no motion on that front. Kenvue, the company behind Tylenol, reported that usage improved by the end of the year. A representative reaffirmed, “We stand with science and believe there is no credible data linking acetaminophen to autism.”
Interestingly, the same Lancet study showed a surge in prescriptions for leucovorin, a B vitamin, among parents seeking autism treatments after the president’s statement. However, no large-scale studies support its effectiveness for autism either.
In today’s fast-paced information landscape, public statements can shift medical practices overnight, highlighting the need for careful communication from those in power. While it seems the initial drop in Tylenol usage has leveled out, the lasting impacts of such announcements could shape perceptions and behaviors surrounding medications for years to come.
For further reading, you can explore the reference study from The Lancet here.
