Tylenol, autism and pregnancy: what you need to know

You’ve heard a lot recently about Tylenol, also known by the generic name acetaminophen, and what effects it might have on unborn babies. Government officials suggested that taking Tylenol during pregnancy might be linked to autism, but medical associations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have pointed out that there’s no credible body of scientific evidence to back that.

So what should you do if you’re pregnant and have a fever or pain that you’d normally treat with Tylenol? I’m a family physician and the mom of a son who has autism, and my short answer is: Talk to your doctor.

Here’s why.

What is autism?

Autism was first described in 1911 by Swiss psychiatrist Dr. Eugen Bleuler and recognized as a distinct condition 32 years later. However, acetaminophen wasn’t widely available until the 1950s.

Over the last 50 years, more and more families have been faced with the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Having researched possible causes for years, I understand that autism is a condition with many factors and that, despite many theories researchers have tested, nobody knows what’s causing the increase in diagnosis.

In fact, Dr. Zeyan Liew, an associate professor at the Yale School of Public Health who has spent years investigating possible causes for neurodevelopment disorders says, “There is no proven causal relationship between acetaminophen use and autism.”

Does Tylenol cause autism?

You might have heard that some research shows associations between frequent and prolonged use of acetaminophen and higher rates of neurodevelopment disorders. But there are four important facts to keep in mind:

• None of those studies were conclusive.
• Those were observational studies, which researchers use to see whether there’s some sort of connection between two or more factors, not experimental studies that could show one factor causes another.
• Fevers are also associated with increased rates of neurodevelopment disorders, and acetaminophen—Tylenol—is the only over-the-counter medicine approved to treat fever during pregnancy.
• Research published in JAMA last year found that using acetaminophen as directed was not associated with the risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.

Can you take Tylenol while pregnant?

While you might be worried by the government’s recent unexpected announcement, remember that your family physician is your trusted advisor any time you hear new health care information that might affect you in the news. Bring up any concerns you have at your next office visit. If you’re pregnant now, you can make an appointment specifically to talk about using acetaminophen.

If you get a fever or significant pain while you’re pregnant, ask your family doctor or obstetrician for advice before you take any over-the-counter medicine.

Although any medication usually has more risks during early pregnancy, for decades, Tylenol has been considered safe during pregnancy for fever management and pain relief. Acetaminophen is a useful tool to treat pain and fever, but as with all medications, there are risks and benefits that your doctor can help you consider.