Leading obstetricians are reassuring pregnant patients that acetaminophen remains a safe and necessary treatment for pain and fever, directly countering recent unproven claims by former President Donald Trump linking the medication to autism.
Leading medical specialists are urging pregnant women to continue using acetaminophen for pain and fever, despite recent unproven claims from former President Donald Trump that linked the medication to autism. Doctors nationwide report a surge of anxious questions from patients following Trump’s briefing where he suggested women should “tough it out.”
Dr. Laura Riley, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine, said patients have come in anxious and unsure, resulting in “a lot of head-shaking.” However, physician guidance remains unchanged. Major professional societies, including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, continue to recommend acetaminophen as safe, citing the bulk of evidence shows no link to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Doctors emphasize the significant risks of not treating fever and pain. “It’s important to treat,” Dr. Riley said, noting that untreated fever increases risks of miscarriage, birth defects, and preterm labor. Dr. Allison Bryant of Mass General Brigham favors “shared decision-making” with patients “at the center” of guidance.
The concerns are personal for patients like Emily Heumann, who took acetaminophen for a 104-degree fever. “I’m telling women not to do anything differently than what we started with, which was Tylenol is one of the best pain relievers we have in pregnancy,” Dr. Riley affirmed. Doctors advise using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time, but stress that instilling undue fear is itself a danger.