🌅 No Research Shows Tylenol Causes Autism

SOURCE

Autism Science Foundation

WHAT TO KNOW

• To date, no study has found taking Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism in children. Last month, researchers at Mount Sinai reviewed published research and found enough evidence to support an association between prenatal exposure to acetaminophen—the main ingredient in Tylenol—and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. The authors said they did not establish a causal relationship and encouraged pregnant women to continue using acetaminophen at the lowest dose possible. Other scientists have responded to point out that neither of the two highest quality studies on the topic, including one from last year, found a causal link.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Doctors say ignoring health conditions that can be treated with acetaminophen during pregnancy, like fever and pain, is “far more dangerous than theoretical concerns based on inconclusive reviews of conflicting science.” Acetaminophen is the only over-the-counter medication recommended to treat fevers during pregnancy and is also considered the safest pain reliever for pregnant women, while other medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) aren’t recommended because they’re known to harm fetal development.

CONNECT THE DOTS

• On Monday, the Trump administration announced it would update FDA guidelines to no longer recommend the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy based on the Mount Sinai study. Officials also said they will approve leucovorin, a form of vitamin B typically used in conjunction with cancer treatment, as an autism treatment. The drug is sold under its generic name folinic acid by iHerb, a supplement company tied to Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who worked for iHerb as an advisor and pitchman, earning $25 million in iHerb stock.