A recent European study has found that taking Tylenol (also known as paracetamol or acetaminophen) during pregnancy is safe, contradicting previous claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had suggested it as a potential cause of autism. This comprehensive research analyzed studies involving 1 million children, including sibling comparison studies.
Reuters reported on Sunday that a European research team conducted a systematic review of 43 studies, carefully adjusting for bias. The analysis included studies where the same woman took Tylenol during one pregnancy but not another. Researchers emphasized the significance of sibling studies, as they can account for both genetic factors and family environment.
The research included three sibling studies and featured large-scale analyses involving over 260,000 individuals in autism-related studies, and more than 330,000 and 400,000 individuals in studies related to ADHD and intellectual disabilities, respectively. The findings revealed no significant link between Tylenol use and these conditions.
Dr. Asma Khalil, professor of obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine at St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London and the study’s lead author, noted that some of the 46 studies cited by Trump’s team contained numerous biases and confounding variables, adding that the analysis sought to correct for these factors as much as possible.
She also stressed that paracetamol can be used safely during pregnancy and that, when taken at recommended dosages and durations, there is no evidence supporting a causal relationship with autism, ADHD, or intellectual disabilities.
Dr. Khalil revealed that she has fielded questions from concerned patients since Trump advised pregnant women against taking the medication last September. Medical organizations in the U.S. and abroad swiftly criticized the former president’s comments as unfounded.
Recent studies on Tylenol’s potential link to autism have yielded mixed results. A 2024 Swedish study found no causal connection between Tylenol and developmental disorders like autism. However, a 2025 review by American researchers, analyzing 46 studies, suggested a possible association. These researchers advised that if pregnant women need the medication, they should use the minimum effective dose for the shortest possible duration.
Historically, Tylenol has been considered the only pain reliever deemed safe for pregnant women. This latest study, published in The Lancet’s Obstetrics and Women’s Health journal, provides further reassurance to expectant mothers and healthcare providers.
