In a confusing clash between public health guidance and political messaging, Tylenol’s parent company Kenvue has issued a clarification after the Trump administration resurrected an eight-year-old social media post to warn pregnant women against using the common pain reliever—citing unproven claims linking it to autism .
What Happened?
On September 23, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shared a 2017 Tylenol Twitter post that read: “We do not recommend taking any of our products while pregnant.” The post—originally a reply to a now-deleted customer query—was shared without context by both HHS and the official White House X account with the caption “No caption needed” .
Two days earlier, President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had publicly urged pregnant women to avoid acetaminophen—the active ingredient in Tylenol—claiming it “causes autism,” despite a lack of conclusive scientific evidence .
⚠️ Key Facts About the 2017 Tweet
- Posted in response to a user’s question about pregnancy safety.
- Was a partial reply that omitted full medical guidance.
- Never represented official product labeling or FDA recommendations.
- Kenvue now calls it “incomplete” and “taken out of context.”
What Does Science Actually Say?
Decades of research have established acetaminophen as the safest over-the-counter pain and fever reliever for pregnant women when used as directed. While some observational studies have suggested a *potential* association between prolonged, high-dose use and neurodevelopmental outcomes, no causal link to autism has been proven.
“Not a single reputable study has successfully concluded that acetaminophen causes neurodevelopmental disorders in children,” said Dr. Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) .
Expert Consensus vs. Political Claims
| Source | Position on Acetaminophen in Pregnancy |
|---|---|
| American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists | Recommends acetaminophen as the safest option for pain/fever during pregnancy. |
| FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) | No warning against use; advises consulting a doctor for prolonged use. |
| Trump Administration (2025) | Claims acetaminophen “causes autism”; urges avoidance “except in rare cases.” |
| Kenvue (Tylenol’s Parent Company) | “Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed.” |
Why This Matters for Pregnant Women
Untreated fever during pregnancy—especially in the first trimester—is linked to serious birth defects, including neural tube defects, heart abnormalities, and cleft palate . Acetaminophen remains one of the few medications deemed safe to manage these risks.
Medical Reality: Avoiding necessary fever treatment may pose greater risks than properly dosed acetaminophen use.
Kenvue’s Official Response
In a statement released September 25, 2025, Kenvue clarified:
“Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy. We recommend pregnant women do not take any over-the-counter medication, including acetaminophen, without talking to their doctor first.”
The company emphasized that the 2017 tweet was a “partial response” and does not reflect current or past comprehensive guidance.
Public Health Concerns
Medical professionals warn that politicizing medication safety could lead to dangerous self-denial of care. “This isn’t just misinformation—it’s a public health threat,” said Dr. Eric Benner, a neonatologist at Duke University .
For more on navigating medication use during pregnancy, see our guide on safe over-the-counter drugs for expectant mothers.
