US President Donald Trump on Monday (September 22) advised a connection between the usage of over-the-counter ache medicine Tylenol throughout being pregnant and the event of autism, a declare that many medical consultants dispute.
“Taking Tylenol shouldn’t be good. I will say it. Not good,” Trump mentioned. “For that reason, they’re strongly recommending that ladies restrict Tylenol use throughout being pregnant until medically crucial.”
He added, “You should not give the kid a Tylenol each time he will get a shot.”
The President additionally talked about leucovorin, a type of folic acid, as a possible therapy for autism signs throughout a White Home occasion.
FDA involvement and Leucovorin approval
Trump mentioned the FDA can be notifying medical doctors that Tylenol use throughout being pregnant is related to an elevated threat of autism, though he didn’t present supporting proof.
The FDA had just lately accredited a model of leucovorin made by GSK to be used in a uncommon metabolic dysfunction referred to as cerebral folate deficiency, which might result in neurological signs seen in some autism instances.
In accordance with the FDA, the approval adopted a evaluation of the usage of leucovorin in 40 sufferers with the dysfunction.
Trade pushback
Tylenol is produced by Kenvue, spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023. Generic variations of acetaminophen are additionally broadly out there.
An organization spokesperson mentioned on Monday, “We disagree with the suggestion of a hyperlink, which isn’t primarily based in science.”
Public well being context
The Trump administration, pushed by Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make America Wholesome Once more motion, has been underneath strain to deal with the rise in autism instances within the US.
The administration has additionally been making broader adjustments to public well being businesses, together with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, the place an immunization panel just lately altered COVID-19 and different vaccine steering. Critics have famous the panel is staffed with figures who’ve been traditionally important of vaccines.
