President Donald Trump has directed the Food and Drug Administration to begin revising the safety label for acetaminophen (Tylenol) and has urged pregnant women to avoid its use, citing studies that suggest a possible link between prenatal exposure and a higher risk of autism and other developmental conditions in children.
In a joint announcement with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the administration said physicians will be notified of the potential risks and advised that acetaminophen should only be used during pregnancy when absolutely necessary, such as for treating high fevers.
The initiative coincides with the launch of a $50 million federal research program that will study genetic, medical, and environmental factors believed to contribute to autism spectrum disorders.
Medical experts have voiced caution, pointing out that while some observational studies have suggested an association, definitive evidence proving a direct causal relationship does not yet exist. They warn that changing health guidance prematurely could discourage pregnant women from treating fevers and other conditions that also pose risks to mother and child.