President Donald Trump has reignited controversy by linking Tylenol (Panadol in Pakistan) use during pregnancy to autism, contradicting decades of scientific evidence and leaving parents, doctors, and public health experts alarmed.
NEWSDESK – MediaBites: September 23, 2025
In a startling announcement from the White House, President Donald Trump claimed that Tylenol use during pregnancy carries “a very increased risk of autism,” urging women to “tough it out” unless medically necessary. His remarks sharply contradict decades of global medical consensus that acetaminophen — widely sold in Pakistan as Panadol — is the safest pain reliever for expectant mothers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later confirmed it is reviewing warning labels, even as leading health experts dismissed Trump’s claims as “dangerously irresponsible.” Studies from Sweden, the U.S., and global peer-reviewed journals have consistently found no causal link between acetaminophen and autism.
Trump’s comments came alongside his broader push to delay newborn vaccinations and reframe childhood autism as a crisis tied to overmedication. Critics argue the move reflects politics rather than science, fanning fears among vulnerable parents.
Tylenol’s maker, Kenvue, strongly rejected Trump’s claim, emphasizing that untreated fevers during pregnancy carry serious risks, including miscarriage and birth defects. In Pakistan, where Panadol is a staple in nearly every home, doctors are also watching closely, warning against panic over an unproven theory.
As autism rates rise worldwide, experts stress there is no “single smoking gun.” Trump’s remarks may have sparked headlines — but for millions of parents, they have ignited confusion and fear.
