Alarmist Trump Administration Rhetoric about Autism and Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy is a Disservice to Physicians and Pregnant Patients
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is changing the label for acetaminophen (Tylenol and related products) “to reflect evidence suggesting that the use of acetaminophen by pregnant women may be associated with an increased risk of neurological conditions such as autism and ADHD in children.” Dr. Robert Steinbrook, director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group, issued the following statement:
“Raising alarms about a beneficial medicine during pregnancy is a disservice to physicians, people who are pregnant, and the public. In fact, there is no reliable evidence that the ‘use of acetaminophen during any trimester of pregnancy causes neurodevelopmental disorders in children,’ as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has pointed out.
“In a notice to physicians, which is more responsible than the FDA press release, FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin A. Makary acknowledges that a causal relationship between acetaminophen and autism ‘has not been established’ and that ‘acetaminophen is the safest over-the-counter alternative in pregnancy among all analgesics and antipyretics; aspirin and ibuprofen have well-documented adverse impacts on the fetus.’
“When considering the use of any medication during pregnancy, clinicians routinely advise patients to consider all the potential risks as well as the benefits, to use an appropriate amount, and to avoid use when the medication is not needed. Acetaminophen is no different.”