Sen. JD Vance urges doctors’ guidance on Tylenol as Trump links use to autism

Sen. JD Vance said pregnant women should lean on their doctors when considering Tylenol, after former President Donald Trump warned that the common pain reliever could be linked to autism. Trump, speaking at a White House event, urged pregnant women to fight not to take Tylenol, saying there may be no harm in urging a quick restriction on its use. The comments added to a broader national discussion about whether acetaminophen use during pregnancy could influence autism risk, a debate that has persisted for years without a definitive causal link.

In an exclusive interview with News Nation, Vance advised expectant mothers to discuss potential medication side effects with their physicians and to follow the science wherever it leads. He acknowledged the medications’ side effects but argued that they are sometimes necessary, particularly in cases of high fever. “We know some of these medications have side effects,” Vance said. “We know that even despite those side effects, sometimes they’re necessary.” He recalled a personal experience when his children were sick and a doctor advised against Tylenol due to potential risks, adding that a very high fever may justify taking something to manage symptoms. He emphasized a cautious approach, noting that the core message should be to follow medical guidance and science, rather than making broad, one-size-fits-all statements.

The exchange comes amid a broader political exchange over how to handle the issue. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who leads the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, pushed back on Trump’s autism link, saying the preponderance of evidence does not support the claim. Vance said Cassidy’s demand for more evidence and science is a stance he can support, signaling potential cross-aisle agreement on a methodical approach to evaluating the data rather than making definitive statements without robust corroboration.

Two days earlier, Dr. Mehmet Oz weighed in on the matter. In remarks to TMZ, Oz said that pregnant women with high temperatures should consider taking Tylenol, adding that a high fever could warrant treatment but that low-grade fevers or minor aches do not justify routine use. Oz, who also serves as the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, followed with cautious language: he acknowledged that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy might be safe in certain contexts, but stressed that the science is not yet conclusive. His remarks illustrate the fragmented messaging around the drug’s safety during pregnancy, which Trump’s remarks intensified and then prompted other leaders to respond.

Oz’s position was presented alongside a note that the White House did not distance itself from Trump’s remarks, with aides arguing that the president’s emphasis on expedited recommendations should be viewed through the lens of ongoing efforts to clarify guidance for pregnant women. The White House press office indicated that the president’s comments were not out of step with the broader objective of refining public-health recommendations, while RFK Jr. and others in the administration have emphasized a careful, research-driven approach to autism risk factors. Officials from Health and Human Services and CMS did not respond to requests for comment from the Daily Mail about Dr. Oz’s statements, underscoring the lack of a unified, public-facing policy shift at the moment.

Acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, has long been the most widely used pain reliever for pregnant women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has historically indicated it as the pain reliever of choice when medically appropriate, though researchers have cautioned that any medication use during pregnancy should be guided by a clinician. The ongoing debate about potential links to autism has kept Tylenol in the public eye, with researchers continuing to assess whether associations observed in some studies reflect causation, confounding factors, or statistical artifacts.

As the political conversation continues, doctors and patient groups are urging caution against drawing causal conclusions from isolated remarks or single studies. Medical experts say the safest course for pregnant women remains a dialogue with their healthcare providers, considering individual health needs, fever severity, and the best available scientific evidence. The interplay between evolving scientific findings and political messaging is likely to shape both public guidance and legislators’ inquiries in the weeks ahead, as researchers seek clearer answers about any potential risks associated with Tylenol use during pregnancy.