President Trump and top health officials Monday said pregnant women should not take acetaminophen for pain relief due to a potential link to autism.
Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol, one of the most widely used medications in the world.
“Taking Tylenol is not good,” Trump said during a White House announcement.
Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will begin updating the label on acetaminophen and will begin notifying physicians that Tylenol “can be associated with a very increased risk of autism.”
“All pregnant women should talk to their doctors for more information about limiting the use of this medication while pregnant. So ideally, you don’t take it at all, but if you have to, you can’t tough it out … probably, you’re going to end up doing it,” Trump said.
Tylenol has been one of the only over-the-counter pain medications for pregnant women that is considered safe. Other options like ibuprofen or aspirin can increase risks of birth defects.
Experts say there are multiple causes of autism, and the increase in diagnoses is more likely due to improved detection.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in a statement before the announcement that “acetaminophen remains a safe, trusted option for pain relief during pregnancy.”
“Despite recent unfounded claims, there’s no clear evidence linking prudent use to issues with fetal development,” it added.
Major medical societies, including the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM), advise recommend that pregnant women consult with health providers before taking acetaminophen.
“At this time, the weight of scientific evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy causes an increased risk for autism or ADHD is simply inconclusive,” SMFM President Sindhu Srinivas said.
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