Tylenol faces renewed scrutiny after viral pregnancy tweet as federal repost stirs debate on acetaminophen safety

A resurfaced 2017 tweet from Tylenol advising against using its products during pregnancy drew renewed attention this week after the Department of Health and Human Services reposted the message, prompting a response from the brand’s maker.

The repost by HHS, which carried a caption that read “No caption needed,” revived questions about the official stance on acetaminophen, a common pain reliever sold under Tylenol. The development comes amid broader online debate over safety guidance during pregnancy and long-standing concerns about misinformation spreading on social media.

Separately, the episode unfolded as Donald Trump amplified unproven claims linking acetaminophen to autism, a claim health officials have rejected as unfounded. While there is no credible evidence to support such a link, the resurfaced Tylenol tweet and the HHS repost intensified public focus on how guidance on medications is communicated to pregnant people and caregivers.

The brand’s parent company, Kenvue, pushed back on the interpretation of the 2017 post. In a statement shared with The New York Times, Kenvue said the old tweet was taken “out of context” and did not address the full guidance on the safe use of Tylenol, which it said has not changed. The company also noted that acetaminophen remains “the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy,” but it urged pregnant people to consult their doctor before taking any over-the-counter medicines, including Tylenol.

A spokesperson for Kenvue emphasized that the company’s guidance has long stressed weighing benefits and risks with a healthcare professional. The company’s site reiterates that there is no proven link between acetaminophen and autism, adding that the best course is to discuss any medication use with a clinician before taking acetaminophen during pregnancy.

Credible, independent scientific data continues to show no proven link between taking acetaminophen and autism, according to the statement on Tylenol’s official site. Our best advice? Talk to your healthcare professional before taking or administering acetaminophen.

Health officials have repeatedly rejected claims tying acetaminophen to autism, and public health experts say there is no new evidence to overturn decades of research. Yet the resurfaced tweet and the Trump-linked claims underscore how quickly online narratives can reframe established medical guidance, even as clinicians warn against drawing conclusions from anecdotes or outdated information.

For pregnant individuals who need pain relief, doctors typically recommend the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration and advise patients to review any OTC medication with a healthcare provider. Tylenol remains widely used during pregnancy, and its safety profile continues to be a central tenet of medical guidance, provided that patients follow professional medical advice.

The episode highlights the ongoing challenge of communicating nuanced medical guidance in an era of rapid social media amplification. Health officials say there have been no changes to official recommendations on Tylenol or acetaminophen use during pregnancy, and they encourage patients to rely on careful consultation with their healthcare teams rather than unverified online claims.

In summary, while the viral knot around a 2017 tweet has stirred renewed discussion, the core medical guidance remains consistent: acetaminophen can be safe for pregnant people when used appropriately and under medical supervision, and there is no scientifically established link to autism. As new information emerges, health authorities say they will continue to update the public with clear, evidence-based guidance to reduce uncertainty for expectant families.