Health professionals are working to rebut recent reports that imply a dangerous link between paracetamol—or acetaminophen, as it is known in the U.S.—and autism. These allegations were sparked by the incendiary words of then–President Donald Trump. Since then, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reassured that there has never been any evidence for any such links. Their message remains that paracetamol is the simplest and safest option for relieving pain or fever in pregnancy.
In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has reaffirmed the safety of paracetamol taken during pregnancy. This reassurance comes as an alarming sign after sign continues to raise worries. Misinformed allegations may lead to undue panic among pregnant women who rely on the drug for effective pain relief.
A large Danish study followed 2.4 million births. It identified no association between prenatal exposure to paracetamol and risk of autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or intellectual disabilities. These findings are especially important since they contribute to the increasing research showing the medication’s safety during pregnancy.
Some of these other studies contest any connection between prenatal paracetamol exposure and developmental challenges. The heaviest of these is the Swedish study of 2.4 million births published in 2024, which used counterfactual sibling data and found no association with autism, ADHD or intellectual disability. Dr Monique Botha, an associate professor in social and developmental psychology at Durham University, explained that there is a causal effect of paracetamol on autism. Her research brings to light this crucial finding.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), under the leadership of President Steven Fleischman, joined the fray as well. He wrote that misleading claims could have an alarmingly profound effect on the health of the American public.
“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,” – Steven Fleischman, President of ACOG.
Health organizations, from the CDC to the WHO, stress the complexity of autism. Specifically, they point to a number of different determinants that shape its development. As the American Psychiatric Association has stated, leucovorin (folinic acid) should not be used to treat autism. They raise alarms on its safety and effectiveness and perhaps most importantly, they highlight the lack of research on whether it actually works.
Dr Botha underscored the point that much more research is required. It will take many more years to determine if leucovorin is indeed a good treatment option for people with autism. Although many of the studies focused on its positive impacts, the science community is understandably still hesitant to tout it as a panacea.
Tylenol representatives agreed there was legitimate confusion with the claims about paracetamol and autism. In addition, they clarified that credible, independent scientific data still does not show any proven link between taking acetaminophen and autism.
“What we can tell you is: credible, independent scientific data continues to show no proven link between taking acetaminophen and autism. Medical and public organizations agree,” – Tylenol.
Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician, soothed nervous moms-to-be weighing the safety of Tylenol in pregnancy.
“If you are pregnant right now and considering whether Tylenol is safe in pregnancy, I want you to know that the best available science does not show an association between Tylenol use in pregnancy and an increased risk of autism,” – Edith Bracho-Sanchez.