The Trump administration is expected to link women taking paracetamol during pregnancy to a risk of autism in children, reports say. Speaking during a memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona on Sunday, Donald Trump teased an upcoming announcement, saying: “I think you’re going to find it to be amazing. I think we found an answer to autism.”
US government health officials are reportedly set to raise concerns about expecting mothers using the popular over-the-counter medicine Tylenol. Its active ingredient is acetaminophen, known in the UK and most of the rest of the world as paracetamol. Mr Trump will say pregnant women should only use Tylenol, or generic acetaminophen, for high fevers, according to reports, citing officials speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The NHS says paracetamol is the “first choice of painkiller” for pregnant women.
“It’s commonly taken during pregnancy and does not harm your baby,” the health service says on its website.
Mr Trump has long expressed concerns over US autism rates and finding the condition’s cause has been a priority for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr after the President demanded answers.
On Friday, Mr Trump said “autism is totally out of control”, adding: “I think we, maybe, have a reason why.”
Tylenol manufacturer Kenvue maintains the drug is safe for pregnant women to use, with other major medical groups still recommending it.
A company spokesperson told POLITICO it disagreed with the Trump administration’s reported findings and warned discouraging women from using Tylenol would force them to make “dangerous choices” between enduring pain and taking riskier painkillers.
“The facts are that over a decade of rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators, confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism,” the spokesperson said.
“We stand with the many public health and medical professionals who have reviewed this science and agree. We will continue to explore all options to protect the health interests of American women and children.”
Officials also told POLITICO and The Washington Post that the Trump administration will state a cancer and anemia drug called leucovorin as a potential treatment for people with autism.
