Nairobi, September 23 – US President Donald Trump has said that doctors in the country will soon be urged not to prescribe Tylenol (paracetamol) to pregnant women, citing a controversial link between the drug and autism.
Speaking on Monday, Trump claimed that Tylenol “is no good” and urged expectant mothers to avoid it unless absolutely necessary for severe fever. His remarks, however, sparked criticism from medical experts who described them as misleading and potentially harmful.
In the UK, health officials reaffirmed that paracetamol remains the safest pain relief option for pregnant women. Health Secretary Wes Streeting remarked, “I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this.”
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also rejected Trump’s claim. Its president, Dr. Steven Fleischman, stressed that there is no solid scientific proof linking acetaminophen to developmental or neurological problems in children, saying the president’s statement “dangerously oversimplifies” complex medical issues.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took a more measured stance, advising doctors to be cautious with Tylenol use during pregnancy but acknowledging it is still the safest over-the-counter drug to treat pain and fever in expectant mothers. The FDA emphasized that while some studies have reported an association between acetaminophen and autism, no causal link has been proven, and other studies contradict the claim.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who spoke alongside Trump, said the FDA would move to update safety labeling on Tylenol and roll out a public health awareness campaign.
Tylenol, whose active ingredient is acetaminophen, is widely used in the US, Canada, and other countries. Globally, it continues to be recommended by many health authorities and medical organizations.
