Full Breakdown
Impact of Trump's Acetaminophen Warning on Pregnant Women
3/6/2026, 3:08:10 AM
Decline in Acetaminophen Prescriptions
Following a White House briefing on September 22, 2025, where President Donald Trump claimed that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, could increase the risk of autism in children, prescriptions for the medication among pregnant women visiting emergency rooms dropped significantly. A study published in the British medical journal *The Lancet* analyzed nearly 90,000 emergency room visits and found that acetaminophen prescriptions for pregnant women decreased by 10% in the 11 weeks following Trump's announcement. In contrast, no similar decline was observed among over 850,000 non-pregnant women during the same period.
Context of the Announcement
During the briefing, Trump urged pregnant women to avoid Tylenol, stating, “Don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it. Fight like hell not to take it.” This statement was made despite the lack of robust scientific evidence linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to autism. The FDA had previously indicated that the topic was an "ongoing area of scientific debate." A comprehensive analysis published in January 2026 found no connection between Tylenol use in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism.
Increase in Leucovorin Prescriptions
In the aftermath of Trump's comments, prescriptions for leucovorin, a medication he suggested as a treatment for autism, surged by 71% among children aged 5 to 17. Leucovorin, a synthetic form of vitamin B9, is primarily used in cancer treatment, and its efficacy for autism remains unproven. Experts, including Dr. Michael Barnett from Brown University, noted that the sudden increase in prescriptions likely stemmed from heightened public awareness due to Trump's remarks.
Health Risks of Untreated Fever
Experts caution that untreated fevers during pregnancy can pose significant health risks, including miscarriage and birth defects. The study authors emphasized that the decline in acetaminophen prescriptions could lead to untreated fevers, which are also linked to an increased likelihood of autism in offspring. Jeremy Faust, co-author of the study, stated, “Directly after this press conference, thousands of women who would have had their fever or pain treated did not, based on false statements and mischaracterizations of data from the White House.”
Criticism of Trump's Statements
Critics argue that Trump's comments were misleading and detrimental to public health. Jennifer Braverman, a maternal and fetal medicine physician, expressed concern that many pregnant women may have been left without safe pain relief options, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes. Brian Lee, an epidemiologist, noted that high-quality studies have consistently shown acetaminophen to be the safest pain reliever during pregnancy.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the *Lancet* study highlights a significant decline in acetaminophen prescriptions, it does not clarify whether pregnant patients turned to alternative medications or went without treatment altogether. Additionally, the impact of Trump's statements on over-the-counter Tylenol purchases remains uncertain, as Kenvue, the parent company of Tylenol, reports sales trends without specifying individual brand performance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it. Fight like hell not to take it,” — President Donald Trump
- “Directly after this press conference, thousands of women who would have had their fever or pain treated did not, based on false statements and mischaracterizations of data from the White House,” — Jeremy Faust, Emergency Physician
- “Words matter, and patients and providers want to be able to trust the guidance coming from our governmental institutions,” — Jennifer Braverman, Maternal and Fetal Medicine Physician
This analysis underscores the significant influence of public health messaging and the potential consequences of misinformation on medical practices and patient health outcomes.
