In a significant and controversial move, the Trump administration is preparing to announce that the use of Tylenol during pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of autism. The announcement is set for Monday and will advise pregnant women to limit their use of acetaminophen to instances of high fever, according to two senior administration officials who spoke to POLITICO on the condition of anonymity.
The announcement will also highlight leucovorin, a drug typically used to treat cancer and anemia, as a potential therapy for individuals with autism. President Donald Trump has previously expressed concern over rising autism rates, stating, “Autism is totally out of control,” and suggesting that the administration may have identified a reason for this increase.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is spearheading the search for autism’s causes, which he believes are largely environmental. However, his stance has been met with skepticism, as many public health experts attribute the rise in diagnosed cases to evolving diagnostic criteria and increased awareness of the condition. Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 1 in 31 American 8-year-olds was diagnosed with autism in 2022, a dramatic increase from 1 in 150 in 2000.
The planned announcement marks the first time the government is linking acetaminophen with autism. Tylenol, along with its generic counterpart, is commonly used for pain relief and fever reduction among pregnant women, who are advised against using other medications like Advil due to potential risks.
As the administration prepares for the announcement, there are indications of internal division regarding how to address the autism issue. Although Kennedy has expressed concerns over acetaminophen’s safety, he has been hesitant to issue public warnings. The administration is also working on a broader autism initiative, with numerous working groups exploring various hypotheses about potential causes, although a comprehensive literature review is still pending.
Notably, a recent study published in the journal BMC Environmental Health linked acetaminophen to autism risk, recommending that pregnant women limit its use. However, the study did not advocate for a complete prohibition, suggesting instead that usage should be carefully managed under medical guidance.
In response to the administration’s plans, Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, has pushed back against the proposed linkage, asserting that decades of research have found no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism. The company emphasized that discouraging its use could lead women to make dangerous choices regarding pain management during pregnancy.
Major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, continue to endorse the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, citing the lack of clear evidence that it causes developmental issues. Studies exploring the connection between Tylenol and autism have primarily shown correlations rather than definitive causation.
As the announcement approaches, it remains to be seen how this information will be received by the public and the medical community, and what implications it may have for pregnant women and healthcare practices.
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