Doctors across the United States are expected to receive new advice on prescribing Tylenol, also known as Paracetamol, to pregnant women after President Trump on Monday linked the widely used pain reliever to autism. Trump claimed the drug, commonly known as paracetamol outside North America, "is no good" and urged expectant mothers to "fight like hell" and only take it for severe fever.

Medical professionals have rejected his assertion. UK health officials stressed that paracetamol continues to be the safest option for pain relief during pregnancy. UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting responded:

"I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this."

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists also dismissed the president’s comments. Its president, Dr Steven Fleischman, said the Tylenol claim

"Is not backed by the full body of scientific evidence and dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children".

The organisation added:

"Studies that have been conducted in the past, show no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during any trimester and fetal developmental issues."

The US Food and Drug Administration issued a notice to doctors with less forceful language than Trump’s remarks. It recommended that clinicians weigh any risks when advising on Tylenol use but noted it remains the safest over-the-counter medication for pain and fever relief in pregnant women, conditions that can themselves pose dangers. The FDA stated:

"To be clear, while an association between acetaminophen and autism has been described in many studies, a causal relationship has not been established and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature."

Standing alongside Trump, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said the FDA would begin adding a safety warning to the drug’s label and start a public health campaign on the issue. Tylenol’s manufacturer, Kenvue, disputed the president’s claim. In a statement, the company said:

"We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers."

Kennedy also said the FDA would soon approve leucovorin, a long-established drug typically used to reduce chemotherapy toxicity, as a potential treatment for children with autism. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said emerging research indicates the drug could help autistic children with folate deficiency improve verbal communication, although experts warned the evidence is still preliminary.

Trump described the rise in autism diagnoses as a "horrible crisis" and said it is an issue about which he has "very strong feelings". Kennedy pledged "a massive testing and research effort" to uncover the causes of autism within five months.

Scientists have emphasised that autism is a complex condition influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors, and they warned against oversimplifying the issue. The National Autistic Society in the UK condemned Trump’s claims as "irresponsible" and accused him of devaluing autistic people. The group said:

"The incessant misinformation about autism from President Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr risks undermining decades of research by respected experts in the field."

Researchers continue to study the causes of autism and attribute the rising numbers partly to broader awareness and evolving diagnostic criteria. While investigations into environmental influences remain ongoing, leading experts insist there is no credible evidence linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to autism.