Trump held a news conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., where he told pregnant people not to use the drug unless it was absolutely medically necessary.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Doctors, scientists and major health organizations in Canada and around the world quickly pushed back against those claims, saying there was no confirmed evidence of a connection between Tylenol and autism.<\/p>\n
The difference between Trump\u2019s claims and doctors\u2019 expertise has many people confused and wondering what to do when it comes to taking Tylenol.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What are doctors and scientists saying?<\/p>\n
Health Canada, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and other expert groups all say there is no definite evidence that Tylenol causes autism, and it is generally safe when used as directed.<\/p>\n
Used as directed means that the person taking Tylenol follows the instructions on the bottle when it comes to dosage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Most experts and doctors agree there is no single \u201ccause\u201d of autism, according to the executive director of the Autism Alliance of Canada, John Lai.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t frame it as an epidemic or a preventable disease,\u201d Lai told CBC News Nova Scotia. \u201cI think we have to realize there\u2019s a complexity of genetic, biological, environmental factors that we don\u2019t understand completely yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Correlation doesn\u2019t equal causation, say experts<\/p>\n
Autism rates have increased in the past few decades, but experts said that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s related to Tylenol use.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It comes down to a scientific saying: correlation does not mean causation.<\/p>\n
Basically, correlation is when two things may appear connected \u2014 like if a pregnant person takes Tylenol and has a baby diagnosed with autism.<\/p>\n
Just because two things are correlated doesn\u2019t mean that the Tylenol use directly caused autism (causation).<\/p>\n
Health Canada, the government department responsible for the health of all Canadians, issued a public advisory after Trump\u2019s announcement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It said there is \u201cno conclusive evidence\u201d that using acetaminophen or Tylenol as directed during pregnancy causes \u201cautism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been used safely by millions of Canadians for decades, including during pregnancy and while breastfeeding,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
Health Canada also warned that untreated fever and pain during pregnancy \u201ccan pose risks to the unborn child.\u201d<\/p>\n
It said that acetaminophen should be used at the lowest dose for the shortest time needed to treat fever.<\/p>\n
Tylenol is safe for kids, doctor says<\/p>\n
The Canadian Paediatric Society is a national organization of medical professionals who work with children. Its director of medical affairs, Dr. Sam Wong, told CBC Kids News, \u201cTaking acetaminophen [Tylenol] will not cause a child or teen to develop autism or any other neurodevelopmental disorder.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Tylenol_for_kids.png\"\/)
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/v2_Tylenol_for_kids.png\")
<\/p>\n
Children\u2019s Tylenol, or acetaminophen for kids, has a lower dosage than Tylenol for adults. (Image credit: Tylenol)\u00a0
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added that Tylenol is \u201cone of the most common, and safest, pain and fever relievers for children and teens when used properly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wong said that children under 12 should never use an adult product, but instead use a version designed for children.<\/p>\n
As with any medication, he said it is important to follow the instructions on the packaging and keep in touch with your health-care provider if your symptoms do not improve.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\ufeff\ufeffHave more questions? \ufeffWant to tell us how we’re doing? Use the \u201csend us feedback\u201d link below. \u2b07\ufe0f\u2b07\ufe0f\u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n
With files from CBC News
TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Justin Sullivan\/Getty Images
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