The UK drug watchdog has confirmed taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe
18:17, 22 Sep 2025Updated 18:17, 22 Sep 2025
President Donald Trump will reportedly link autism to pain reliever Tylenol(Image: AP)
The UK’s drug watchdog has confirmed paracetamol is safe to use during pregnany after reports Donald Trump is set to link Tylenol to autism.
The US President is expected to announce a link between the use of the over-the-counter painkiller during pregnancy to autism, contrary to official medical guidelines.
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed on Monday (September 22) that taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence it causes autism in children.
Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA, said: “Patient safety is our top priority. There is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children.
“Paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed. Pregnant women should continue to follow existing NHS guidance and speak to their healthcare professional if they have questions about any medication during pregnancy. Untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn baby, so it is important to manage these symptoms with the recommended treatment.
“Our advice on medicines in pregnancy is based on rigorous assessment of the best available scientific evidence. Any new evidence that could affect our recommendations would be carefully evaluated by our independent scientific experts.
“We continuously monitor the safety of all medicines, including those used during pregnancy, through robust monitoring and surveillance. We encourage anyone to report any suspected side effects to us via the Yellow Card scheme.”
Major medical groups say it is safe for pregnant women to take paracetamol(Image: Getty Images)Trump to link autism with Tylenol
Speaking at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service on Sunday (September 21), Trump teased plans for an announcement from the Oval Office on Monday.
“I think you’re going to find it to be amazing,” he said. “I think we found an answer to autism.”
It follows health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vow to find a “cause” for autism by September.
The announcement is expected to link the development of autism in children with use of the painkiller Tylenol, known as paracetamol elsewhere, during pregnancy, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month.
However, Tylenol maker Kenvue has defended the use of the drug in pregnant women and a number of major medical groups and experts have criticised the Trump Administration’s reported claims.
Tylenol is the brand name for the painkiller paracetamol, or acetaminophen, in the US(Image: Getty Images)Is paracetamol safe to use during pregnancy?
In the US, paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is also the recommended first-line painkiller during pregnancy in guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), but should only be used as needed and at the lowest effective dose.
Paracetamol is currently the only over-the-counter painkiller recommended by the NHS during pregnancy. The NHS says it is commonly taken during pregnancy and does not harm your baby.
Pregnant women are urged to not stop taking their pain medicines in light of the claims as untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn child.