Though it wasn’t quite brave enough to use his name, Health Canada has rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that Tylenol is unsafe for pregnant women.
In a bulletin posted on Tuesday, a day after Trump said the drug is “no good” for expectant mothers, Health Canada said it is “a recommended treatment of pain or fever in pregnancy when used as directed.”
Trump and his administration said on Monday that Tylenol – also known as acetaminophen or paracetamol – could cause autism in children when taken by pregnant women.
That claim was immediately rejected by the drug’s manufacturer, Kenvue, which said it was “deeply concerned” by Trump’s comments.
"Tylenol during pregnancy can be associated with a very increased risk of autism." - @POTUS pic.twitter.com/0FdBCOjtZk
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 22, 2025
Health Canada, in its response to Trump, said “there is no conclusive evidence that using acetaminophen as directed during pregnancy causes autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.”
It added: “Use acetaminophen as directed. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your health care provider if you have questions about the use of any medications.”
In research published by a Harvard University academic last month, however, a link between acetaminophen and both autism and ADHD was made.
Harvard University explained: “When children are exposed to acetaminophen—also known by the brand name Tylenol or as paracetamol—during pregnancy, they may be more likely to develop neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) including autism and ADHD.”
Senior author Andrea Baccarelli said he had spoken with the Trump administration prior to Monday’s announcement, explaining to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that there was “evidence of association” between acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders.
“That association is strongest when acetaminophen is taken for four weeks or longer,” Baccarelli said in a statement released by Harvard.
“Further research is needed to confirm the association and determine causality, but based on existing evidence, I believe that caution about acetaminophen use during pregnancy—especially heavy or prolonged use—is warranted.”
A study carried out by several academics and released last year, however, arrived at a different conclusion.
That research, led by Swedish academics, concluded: “Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children's risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in sibling control analysis.”
Instead, the study suggested, “associations observed in other models” could in fact have been related to “familial confounding” – genetic or environmental influences mistaken for direct causality between use of the drug and the conditions.
Health Canada’s bulletin, meanwhile, did not go into detail about the research upon which it based its view of acetaminophen.
Instead, it said its opinion was derived from “robust, rigorous assessments of the available scientific evidence.”
It added: “It should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration needed. Untreated fever and pain in pregnant women can pose risks to the unborn child.”
In the meantime, Health Canada said it will continue to “carefully” evaluate “any new evidence that could affect our recommendations.”
For more information about acetaminophen from Health Canada, head here.
