No, there is no evidence that Tylenol causes autism.
Trump’s comments have shocked many medical bodies, which recommend the drug for pain and fever during pregnancy.
The widely held view of researchers worldwide is that there is no single cause of autism. It is thought to be the result of a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors.
For scientists looking at the data, it is difficult to separate out the effects of one action, like taking a painkiller, from other factors such as parental health, genetics and environmental conditions.
The Trump administration has cited some recent studies which have shown a potential association, which means the drug could increase the risk of autism in some children. But there may be other explanations for that link.
In August, a team led by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in the US analysed 46 older studies.
Of these, 27 reported a link between the use of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in the painkiller, and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and ADHD. Nine showed no significant link and four indicated an opposite, protective, effect.
The authors said more work was needed to confirm their findings but recommended “cautious, time-limited use” of the painkiller during pregnancy.
Another study, in 2024, analysed 2.5 million babies born in Sweden. It compared autistic children with their siblings to control for genetic factors, and found no evidence to support a causal link between autism and the use of the painkiller.
A Japanese study published in 2025 also looked at what happened to siblings after birth and found a small increased risk of autism linked to acetaminophen. But it said “misclassification and other biases may partially explain these associations”.
The Autism Science Foundation, a US charity, says that based on existing data there is not enough evidence to support a link between Tylenol and autism.
But it says that taking any medication during pregnancy should be approached with caution and medical advice should be sought.
In a statement to the BBC, Tylenol maker Kenvue said the science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism.
“We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers.”
