Health Canada has countered U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion linking Tylenol use during pregnancy and childhood to autism. According to the government agency, acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is a recommended remedy for pain and fever during pregnancy. Health Canada advises using acetaminophen as prescribed by a doctor, at the lowest effective dosage for the shortest time. The department emphasized the importance of treating fever and pain during pregnancy to avoid potential health risks to the fetus.
Health Canada stated that there is no definitive proof that using acetaminophen as directed during pregnancy causes autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions. The department highlighted that acetaminophen has been safely used by millions of Canadians for many years, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The guidance provided by Health Canada on acetaminophen usage is based on thorough evaluations of scientific evidence. The department indicated that it closely monitors the use of medications in Canada and mentioned that Tylenol labels already contain clear instructions on safe usage during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Health Canada affirmed that if new scientific data indicates a risk, appropriate measures would be taken to update labels, inform healthcare providers, and offer guidance to Canadians.
In a separate development, Trump made statements suggesting an unverified link between acetaminophen and autism during a recent official event. Despite Trump’s claims, experts and the manufacturer of Tylenol, Kenvue, stated that there is no conclusive evidence supporting this association. The president’s unusual move of providing direct medical advice without presenting new evidence drew criticism from medical professionals and the pharmaceutical industry.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) also refuted claims linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to neurodevelopmental disorders. The SOGC emphasized that evidence supporting these claims is weak and has consistently been disproven by scientific and regulatory bodies.
Trump’s statements also included a call for re-examining the discredited link between childhood vaccines and autism. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine critic, supported Trump’s stance. Kennedy’s pledge to identify the cause of autism by the end of September has raised concerns among experts who argue that autism has no singular cause, pointing to a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.