Trump's Tylenol remarks prompt mixed guidance on acetaminophen use in pregnancy

A White House controversy over acetaminophen use during pregnancy intensified Monday after President Donald Trump linked a rise in autism to the common pain reliever and urged pregnant women to avoid taking it. The remarks, delivered at a public event, prompted swift pushback from health officials and a nuanced counterpoint from a physician who has become a familiar public face in such debates. By Tuesday, Dr. Mehmet Oz told TMZ that acetaminophen, including Tylenol, can be appropriate for pregnant women who have a fever or other pressing medical need, while stressing that the science is not settled and that not all fever or pain requires medication.

Trump used the event to urge pregnant women to avoid acetaminophen, saying, “With Tylenol, don’t take it. Don’t take it!” He contended that acetaminophen use might be linked to rising autism rates, though he did not cite a specific study or provide data to support the claim. The White House quickly framed the remarks as part of an ongoing discussion about potential risks and the speed with which guidance should be updated, while health experts urged caution about drawing causal conclusions from preliminary associations.

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Dr. Oz, appearing in a TMZ Live interview on Tuesday, walked back the absolutist message and offered a more conditional view. He said that pregnant women with high fevers should discuss treatment with their doctors and that acetaminophen might be one of the medications a clinician would consider. He emphasized that low-grade fevers or minor aches do not automatically justify taking Tylenol and added that while acetaminophen could be safe in some cases, the evidence is not definitive. “Take [Tylenol] when it’s appropriate,” Oz said, adding that “acetaminophen’s probably your best option, but take it when you really need it.”

The discussion touched a broader debate about how quickly agencies and officials should respond to evolving data on prenatal exposures. On Tuesday, officials in the Health and Human Services (HHS) umbrella said the FDA will issue a physician’s notice about the risk of acetaminophen during pregnancy and begin the process to initiate a safety labeling change. The White House defended Trump’s approach, saying the president was underscoring the need for rapid, science-informed action, though it did not claim that the president’s remarks had been misrepresented.

The remarks also drew attention to the role of the FDA and federal health agencies in interpreting conflicting studies on prenatal acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes. RFK Jr., who has made autism a focus of his public work, spoke from a cautious perspective, noting that some studies suggest a potential association between acetaminophen exposure in pregnancy and later neurodevelopmental conditions, while others have found no clear link. He acknowledged the existence of proposed biological mechanisms but also emphasized that the evidence remains inconclusive. He said the FDA will communicate clinical guidance, and he described a process to issue new labeling to reflect evolving research.

The episode referenced a broader history of mixed messages in public health guidance around acetaminophen during pregnancy. The notes point to a resurfaced 2017 Tylenol post in which the company stated it did not recommend using any of its products while pregnant, a message that has often been cited in debates over safety and official recommendations. In addition, the notes recount other health-policy claims around autism rates in certain communities, including assertions about diagnostic prevalence and access to medical care, which have been disputed by researchers and demographers.

Medical groups have long regarded acetaminophen as the analgesic and antipyretic of choice for pregnant patients when used judiciously. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has historically viewed acetaminophen as a generally safe option when used as directed, particularly for fever and pain that could otherwise threaten maternal or fetal well-being. Still, clinicians have emphasized that any medication during pregnancy should be discussed with a health professional, weighing potential risks and benefits on a case-by-case basis. The current public debate underscores how headlines and political commentary can intersect with complex medical evidence, underscoring the importance of relying on peer-reviewed research and official labeling when advising patients.

As the story develops, patients are urged to consult their obstetrician or primary care clinician before making decisions about acetaminophen use during pregnancy. Health officials say that while acetaminophen remains widely used and generally considered safe in accordance with established guidelines, ongoing research may refine recommendations, and labeling could be updated to reflect new findings. The situation illustrates how rapidly evolving scientific data, combined with high-profile statements, can influence public perception and clinical practice in real time, particularly in the health arena.