• by Tanya Gazdik , September 23, 2025

President Trump and top U.S. health officials are urging pregnant women not to use acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, claiming it could cause autism, though studies have been inconclusive.

“The president on Monday repeatedly issued strong warnings that flew in the face of the recommendations of leading medical groups: ‘Don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it. Fight like hell not to take it.’ He urged pregnant women to ‘tough it out’ when in pain, except in rare instances, such as a dangerously high fever,” according to The New York Times. 

The Johnson & Johnson spinoff that sells Tylenol is defending the medicine's safety profile.

“Kenvue, in a statement, said ‘acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy’ and that ‘rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators, confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism,’” according to Axios. 

The over-the-counter drug anchors the company's "self-care" segment, which generates about 42% of its total revenue, according to Axios. 

“Analysts from Citi wrote in a note on Monday a lack of scientific evidence supporting the Trump administration’s link presents a ‘limited judicial risk,’ with ‘some impact on Tylenol consumption due to negative headlines,’ while Susan Anderson, an analyst for Canaccord Genuity, wrote, ‘The current risk for Tylenol centers around public opinion on the brand,’” according to Forbes. “A link between the drug and autism comes after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy said a 'massive testing and research effort' was underway to identify the causes of autism. He previously pushed debunked claims linking the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and childhood autism.”

Kenvue shares rose about 6.2% to around $18 as trading opened Tuesday, following an earlier rally in premarket while rebounding from a 7.4% drop on Monday as the stock hit a record low of $16.89.

In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, Kenvue said the company has "continuously evaluated the science and [continues] to believe there is no causal link" between acetaminophen, pregnancy and autism. Kenvue added that the FDA and leading medical organization "agree on the safety" of the drug, its use for pregnancy and information provided on the Tylenol label. 

“Trump’s advice to avoid the drug alarmed scientists and medical professionals, who warned that leaving fevers untreated could lead to greater health risks,” according to Quartz. “The Coalition of Autism Scientists said in a statement: ‘The data cited do not support the claim that Tylenol causes autism... and only stoke fear and falsely suggest hope when there is no simple answer.’ The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists called Trump's guidance ‘irresponsible’ and ‘confusing’ for patients.”

The claims are misleading, lacking broad support in the scientific community, and risk harming American families and the public, said the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.

“As recently as last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that it has found no clear evidence that appropriate use of acetaminophen during pregnancy causes adverse pregnancy, birth, or developmental outcomes,” according to the CHPA.