Health care

“I am speechless”: Health care providers react to unproven link between Tylenol and autism

Analysis of Reddit and X conversations shows providers expressing concern for patients and frustration with new federal guidance.

“I am speechless”: Health care providers react to unproven link between Tylenol and autism

Analysis of Reddit and X conversations shows providers expressing concern for patients and frustration with new federal guidance.

At a September 22 press conference, President Donald Trump and officials from the Department of Health and Human Services claimed that acetaminophen (name brand: Tylenol) use during pregnancy is linked to autism, while also repeating the debunked myth that vaccines cause autism. Experts quickly criticized the claims, noting that existing evidence is inconclusive and does not prove that acetaminophen causes autism.

The president said the Food and Drug Administration will immediately advise physicians to avoid recommending acetaminophen during pregnancy unless necessary. He added that FDA labeling would be updated to include warnings about autism risk and that the agency will begin reviewing leucovorin as a potential treatment for autism.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists condemned the announcement, expressing skepticism about the evidence and concern for pregnant patients, who already have limited safe pain relief options.

The administration's recommendations will directly affect how health care providers counsel and treat pregnant patients. Health care providers have to navigate a difficult landscape: balancing evidence-based practice with new federal guidance, addressing patient fears, and protecting themselves from potential legal risk.

The Infodemiology.com team analyzed online discussions among health care providers on Reddit and X between September 22–25. Reddit offered more anonymous peer-to-peer exchanges, while X reflected public-facing commentary. Posts mentioning acetaminophen or Tylenol in relation to pregnancy, autism, or the press conference were collected and hand-coded for recurring themes. While not representative of all providers, these conversations highlight real-time reactions and concerns.

What are health care providers saying about acetaminophen and autism?

The press conference caused a massive spike in online conversations about Tylenol, fueling a nearly 18,000 percent increase in posts containing the words “tylenol” or “acetaminophen” compared to the previous week. There were 3.2 million mentions of Tylenol and 2.1 million mentions of autism between September 22–25, compared to 44,000 and 361,000 mentions, respectively, between September 15–21.

A trendline showing the total mentions of Tylenol (blue line) or acetaminophen (yellow line) across all sources, compared to mentions of autism and related terms (blue line).

Health care providers responded to the White House’s announcement with a mix of confusion and alarm. Discussions in online health care provider forums reveal skepticism about the validity of the link, concern for patients’ well-being, and fears about how the recommendation may impact their ability to practice.

Skepticism about evidence and frustration with federal guidance

Many providers echoed ACOG’s criticism, questioning the scientific validity of the recommendations. Several pointed to a recent 24-year study in nearly 2.5 million children, which found no association between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.

Others highlighted the weakness of the data cited by the administration, much of which is based on self-reported medication use, a method widely regarded as unreliable. Some expressed disbelief that medical professionals are being encouraged to “shrug off Tylenol and vaccines to embrace natural medicine.”

A few commenters suggested that guidance lacking scientific rigor may discourage people from entering health care fields. One asked bluntly, “Who would be an OBGYN these days?”

Discussion of acetaminophen-safety data and study limitations

Providers also scrutinized the evidence used to justify the FDA’s recommendation. Many noted that no new data was presented to support the claim that acetaminophen increases autism risk. 

Some referenced a 2025 analysis of past studies, which found a slight increase in risk but did not establish causation. Forum posts emphasized the study’s limitations, including lack of data on dosage, frequency, and underlying maternal health conditions. While a few providers said the possibility of a link warrants consideration, most stressed that known factors like genetics and environmental exposures play a far greater role in autism risk.

Concerns for pregnant patients and children

One of the most common sentiments was concern for pregnant patients, who have few safe options for pain and fever management. One provider wrote that “it’s very irresponsible to make a proclamation like that without immediately presenting the public with a viable alternative.” 

Some worried that pregnant people may turn to unsafe treatments. “If pregnant women start taking NSAIDs for fever rather than acetaminophen, there will be tragic consequences.” This worry extended to children whose parents may refuse acetaminophen due to autism fears. Several posts referenced Reye’s syndrome, a rare but severe condition that can occur when children with viral infections take aspirin. 

Providers also warned that untreated fevers during pregnancy carry risks and “are far more dangerous than Tylenol for both Mom and the baby.” Some criticized the announcement as a way to “blame moms” for rising autism rates.

Uncertainty about patient interactions and distrust of federal health agencies

Another common theme was how to address patient questions in light of the FDA recommendation. “I am speechless,” one provider said, before wondering “How [do] we respond to the inevitable calls we are about to get from patients.” Another said they know acetaminophen is safe but are “unsure how to navigate if they bring up that the government is saying there’s a link.”

Some providers reported that they “were already getting questions from parents about Tylenol/autism.” Most concluded that they would continue to follow ACOG and other medical groups, noting, “As clinicians, we follow and make recommendations based on scientifically proven evidence.” Several stated outright they would “ignore the FDA on this one.” 

A lack of confidence in federal health agencies permeated provider conversations online. One poster asked, “How can anyone take the CDC seriously?” while another lamented “the harm being done to our national institutions and the public trust.” Several providers said that the administration is “going to make the practice of medicine that much harder than it already is.”

Finally, some providers expressed concern about legal liability. “Do I make them sign a waiver before telling them to take Tylenol?” one asked. Another speculated that OB-GYNs could face an “onslaught of formal complaints and potential lawsuits.” Several commenters said they plan to emphasize to patients that untreated fevers carry risks,  while emphasizing that the research “has not found a causal link between Tylenol and autism.”

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