SPOKANE, Wash. – The Trump administration announced Monday that acetaminophen can cause an increased risk of autism.
This comes after years of questions on the impact of acetaminophen on pregnancy.
Non Stop Local spoke to Dr. Elizabeth Newell, a partner at Spokane OB/GYN before the press conference Monday afternoon.
“One of the most recent things was Tylenol having a link to autism, which has been shown multiple times and studies that is not accurate,” Newell said.
One study, published by the National Institute of Health in April 2024, titled “Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability” found: “Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in sibling control analyses.”
During the press conference, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed these tests by the NIH are partisan.
The Trump administration is asking the FDA to include labels on the association between acetaminophen on autism on medication on medication bottles.
For expectant mothers experiencing pain or fever, Newell emphasized the limited options available.
“We don’t really try to use many other pain medications during pregnancy,” se Newell.
Ibuprofen is not considered safe for expecting women, and Newell cautioned against going straight to prescription pain medication.
“Narcotics are not first line by any means for pain control in a pregnancy. And so we try to avoid having to prescribe pain medication,” Newell said.
Newell highlighted the lack of alternatives.
“We don’t have a great alternative right now necessarily,” she said.
Newell anticipates increased demand on OBGYN services.
“It’ll definitely increase some of the phone calls to the office,” Newell said.
Newell encouraged expectant mothers to seek information directly from healthcare professionals.
“Most providers we’re just here to educate and give informed information,” Newell said.
She acknowledged the challenges some mothers face in accessing care
“We have a lot of maternity care deserts where it takes more than an hour or two to get to a doctor. They’ll start using things that haven’t even been studied,” Newell said.
As the conversation around acetaminophen’s safety continues, Newell urged mothers to reach out to professionals for guidance.
