President Donald Trump urged pregnant women not to take Tylenol during a Sept. 22 press conference, claiming the painkiller is linked to a rise in autism in children.
The president said the Food and Drug Administration will soon notify physicians that the use of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is associated with such a risk. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the FDA’s recommendation is based on clinical and laboratory studies.
But what do local and national health experts say about the safety of using the painkiller during pregnancy? Here’s what we know.
What do healthcare providers in Illinois say?
Northwestern Medicine lists acetaminophen as a safe medication to use for fevers during pregnancy, instructing users to follow the directions on the drug’s packaging for directed dosage. Northwestern also recommends consumers to contact their healthcare provider if the medication does not work for them.
Similarly, the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences says on its website that acetaminophen is safe to use for headaches or fevers during pregnancy, as well as Tylenol PM (containing Benadryl and acetaminophen) for difficulty sleeping. UI Health recommends only taking up to two normal or extra-strength tablets every 4-6 hours, with no more than eight pills every 24 hours.
Chicago Women’s Health Group, which is made up of OB-GYNs, nurse practitioners and physician assistants across the city, also says Tylenol and Tylenol Cold are safe to use during pregnancy.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said in a statement, “IDPH is deeply concerned by the federal government issuing medical recommendations that are not backed by the full weight of scientific evidence. IDPH strongly agrees with the views expressed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.”
The department then referenced a press release by ACOG, in which the group said, “Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients, including those who may need to rely on this beneficial medicine during pregnancy.”
Dr. Ashish Premkumar said in a statement that the University of Chicago Medicine also supports the guidelines published by ACOG, adding, “Use of acetaminophen in pregnancy has demonstrated to be safe with no reliable evidence, or credible evidence, that there is an association with neurodevelopmental disorders or autism spectrum disorders.”
Premkumar said though Trump and his administration recommend only taking the lowest dose of Tylenol if needed, physicians already prescribe the painkiller in this way if patients are having pain, a fever or other similar conditions. He similarly warned that leaving fevers or infections untreated during pregnancy can lead to issues like birth defects.
A 2024 study from researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that increasing acetaminophen use during pregnancy was associated with language delays in children. More specifically, acetaminophen use in the second and third trimesters was linked to modest but significant delays in early language development.
The study provided the following disclaimer, though: “The findings need to be tested in larger studies, the researchers said. Until then, people should not be afraid to take acetaminophen for fever or serious pain and discomfort during pregnancy. Conditions like a very high fever can be dangerous and using a drug like acetaminophen will likely help.”
National guidelines on Tylenol use during pregnancy
Soon after the Trump administration’s declaration, ACOG shared a Facebook post explicitly saying, “There is no link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism in children.”
The college said in the post that two decades of research have found no causal link between use of the medication and autism, ADHD or intellectual disability in children.
“Acetaminophen continues to be an important and safe option for managing pain and fever in pregnancy – conditions that can pose serious risks to pregnant patients and their fetuses if left untreated,” the post says.
In comparison, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paint a more mixed picture on its website.
“Some studies of acetaminophen during pregnancy have shown an association with neurological conditions such as autism and ADHD, particularly when taken chronically throughout pregnancy,” the CDC says. “Although a direct causal relationship between acetaminophen and autism or ADHD has not been established, pregnant women should consider avoiding acetaminophen use during pregnancy as a precaution.”
The CDC adds that though high fevers have been linked with birth defects, low grade fevers “generally do not require any medication.” The center says women in doubt should ultimately consult with their physician about treatment options.
This article was updated to include the statement from Dr. Ashish Premkumar.
Bart Jansen, Zac Anderson, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, Ken Alltucker, Adrianna Rodriguez, Joey Garrison and Sarah D. Wire contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Is Tylenol safe to use during pregnancy? What Illinois health agencies want patients to know
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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