Trump asserts there is no downside to avoiding Tylenol during pregnancy, but medical experts disagree on its safety.

In a recent announcement at a White House press conference on September 22, 2025, former President Donald Trump advised pregnant women against using Tylenol, or acetaminophen, to alleviate pain and reduce fever. This guidance stands in stark contrast to longstanding medical consensus and advice from numerous obstetric organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, which advocate for acetaminophen as a safe option during pregnancy.

Trump’s comments, made in the presence of his health leadership, suggest that avoiding acetaminophen has no adverse implications. However, this claim lacks evidential support. Medical professionals warn that leaving fever untreated during pregnancy can pose significant health risks to both the mother and the fetus. The absence of treatment for pain can lead to complications as well, impacting the quality of life for pregnant individuals.

The controversial advice appears to stem from an unfounded concern that acetaminophen use may elevate the risk of autism in children. This idea was echoed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who currently serves as Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary and is known for promoting anti-vaccine sentiments. While some research indicates a correlation between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and autism symptoms, other studies refute this assumption, emphasizing that correlation does not imply causation.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement on the matter, underscoring that while some associations between acetaminophen and neurological conditions are noted in studies, a direct causal relationship has not been proven. The FDA further acknowledged that acetaminophen is the only over-the-counter medication authorized for treating fever in pregnant women, cautioning that untreated high fevers could have detrimental effects on fetal health.

In response to Trump’s remarks, ACOG reiterated its position, stating that the recommendation against Tylenol creates confusion and potentially harmful implications for pregnant women. The organization highlighted that acetaminophen is essential for managing acute pain and fevers, which, if left untreated, could escalate into more severe health issues.

Medical research consistently supports the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, maintaining its status as a critical tool for pain management. Alternatives such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) pose varying risks to pregnancy, and the FDA discourages their use after 20 weeks of gestation.

Moreover, avoiding treatment for pain and fever can lead to significant complications, including increased rates of maternal anxiety, depression, and potential adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as birth defects, especially when fever occurs in the early stages of pregnancy.

Healthcare professionals advocate for open discussions with patients regarding the risks and benefits of all treatment options. They emphasize that, for many pregnant women, acetaminophen remains the safest and most effective way to manage pain and fever—highlighting the essential need for evidence-based guidance in maternal health.

In summary, the assertion that there are “no downsides” to forgoing acetaminophen during pregnancy is contradicted by extensive medical research. The consensus remains that the benefits of appropriately using acetaminophen outweigh the theoretical risks associated with its usage, reaffirming the necessity for clarity and accuracy in public health messaging concerning prenatal care.

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