A nationwide study conducted in Denmark with over 1.5 million children found that autism was not linked to the use of Tylenol in pregnancy. In fact, the study found there were fewer children diagnosed with autism in the group of mothers that had taken the drug while pregnant—with a total of 1.8% autism diagnoses for those who were exposed to the drug in the womb versus 3% for those who weren't.
These findings, published in JAMA Pediatrics on April 13, support Swedish studies from 2024, where no link was found for autism and pregnancy use of acetaminophen and paracetamol, known in the US by the brand name Tylenol.
In September 2025, the FDA announced it was beginning the process to change labels in Tylenol to warn of a potential increase in autism risk when taken during pregnancy, even though national and international medical groups assured there was no scientific basis for the claim. Contacted by CNN, the FDA declined to comment on whether the labeling process will now be halted.
Tylenol has long been considered one of the few safe options for expectant mothers to treat fever and pain. Public debate around its safety has intensified following the Trump administration's decision to announce Tylenol could cause autism.
For decades, autism has been a contentious topic in debates around public health. Even as early as the 1990s, the spectrum disorder was claimed to have a connection to vaccines. This allegation has since been debunked, but public anxiety has not eased around how to approach this topic.
So, is there any connection between Tylenol and autism? Click on to discover all you need to know.