A new review of studies has found that taking Tylenol during pregnancy doesn't increase the risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disabilities — adding to the growing body of research refuting claims made by the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump last year promoted unproven ties between the painkiller and autism, telling pregnant women: "Don't take Tylenol."
The latest research review, published Friday in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health, looked at 43 studies and concluded that the most rigorous ones, such as those that compare siblings, provide strong evidence that taking the drug commonly known as paracetamol outside of the U.S. does not cause autism, ADHD or intellectual disabilities.
It's "safe to use in pregnancy," said lead author Dr. Asma Khalil. "It remains … the first line of treatment that we would recommend if the pregnant woman has pain or fever."
While some studies have raised the possibility of a link between autism risk and using Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen, during pregnancy, more haven't found a connection.
Tylenol pain-relief pills are shown in La Habra, Calif., on Sept. 23.
A review published last year in BMJ said existing evidence doesn't clearly link the drug's use during pregnancy with autism or ADHD in offspring. A study published the previous year in the Journal of the American Medical Association also found it wasn't associated with children's risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability in an analysis looking at siblings.
But the White House has focused on research supporting a link.
One of the papers cited on its web page, published in BMC Environmental Health last year, analyzed results from 46 previous studies and found that they supported evidence of an association between Tylenol exposure during pregnancy and increased incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders. Researchers noted that the drug is still important for treating pain and fever during pregnancy, but said steps should be taken to limit its use.
Some health experts have raised concerns about that review and the way Trump administration officials portrayed it, pointing out that only a fraction of the studies focus on autism and that an association doesn't prove cause and effect. Khalil, a fetal medicine specialist at St. George's Hospital, London, said that review included some studies that were small and some that were prone to bias.
The senior author of that review was Dr. Andrea Baccarelli, dean of the faculty at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who noted in the paper that he served as an expert witness for plaintiffs in a case involving potential links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders. Baccarelli did not respond to an email seeking comment on his study.
Overall, Khalil said, research cited in the public debate showing small associations between acetaminophen and autism is vulnerable to confounding factors. For example, a pregnant woman might take Tylenol for fevers, and fever during pregnancy may raise the risk for autism. Research can also be affected by "recall bias," such as when the mother of an autistic child doesn't accurately remember how much of the drug she used during pregnancy after the fact, Khalil said.
When researchers prioritize the most rigorous study approaches — such as comparing siblings to account for the influence of things like genetics — "the association is not seen," she said.
Genetics are the biggest risk factor for autism, experts say. Other risks include the age of the child's father, preterm birth and whether the mother had health problems during pregnancy.
In a commentary published with the latest review, a group of researchers who weren't involved — from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado and elsewhere — cautioned that discouraging the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy could lead to inadequate pain or fever control. And that may hurt the baby as well as the mother. Untreated fever and infection in a pregnant woman poses "well-established risks to fetal survival and neurodevelopment," they said.
What's in America's medicine cabinets? A look at what families buy
What's in America's medicine cabinets? A look at what families buy
Updated
From sniffles in the winter to sunburns in the summer, every season brings its own set of minor health concerns—and with them, a steady stream of over-the-counter (OTC) medications into the family medicine cabinet. But how much is too much? What are parents really keeping on hand, and how often do they actually use it?
In this article, SaveHealth takes a peek into America's medicine cabinets to understand what families are stocking, why they're stocking it, and what this means for both household safety and seasonal health preparedness.
A Cabinet Full of Comfort: The Average Family's OTC Inventory
According to a 2023 report from the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the average U.S. household spends around $442 annually on OTC medications. This translates into between 15 to 30 distinct products in the home at any given time. These include:
- Pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
- Allergy medications (antihistamines like loratadine or diphenhydramine)
- Cough and cold treatments (decongestants, throat lozenges, cough syrups)
- Digestive aids (antacids, laxatives, anti-diarrheals)
- Topicals (antibiotic ointments, hydrocortisone, anti-itch creams)
- First aid staples (bandages, antiseptics, burn gels)
- Sleep aids and supplements
Parents often maintain different versions of the same medication for different family members—such as chewables for kids and tablets for adults. In multigenerational households, the need for varied medications can further inflate the volume of stocked items.
Why We Over-Stock: Convenience, Safety, and the Fear of "What If"
1. Parental Preparedness
The instinct to prepare for every possible scenario drives parents to keep medications on hand, even if rarely used. A survey by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 78% of parents keep a "'just in case" stash of fever reducers and cold medicines.
2. Seasonal Buying Patterns
Pharmacies and big-box retailers align their marketing strategies with seasonal illnesses. For instance:
- Spring: allergy meds, eye drops, nasal sprays
- Summer: burn relief, insect repellents, bandages
- Winter: cold/flu medications, vapor rubs, thermometers
3. Pandemic Habits
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped consumer behavior. A 2021 McKinsey report found that 43% of Americans began stockpiling household and medical supplies, and many of these habits persisted even after lockdowns ended. This includes medications for flu-like symptoms, vitamins, and sanitizing products.
What's Actually Being Used?
Despite the abundance of medications, studies show that most families only use a fraction of what they store. The CHPA notes that fewer than 10 OTC products are used on a monthly basis by the average household. Seasonal use spikes are short-lived, meaning that many items expire before they are fully used.
Additionally, a 2022 report from Safe Kids Worldwide revealed that 67% of parents admitted to finding expired or unidentifiable medications during an annual clean-out. This not only represents financial waste but raises safety concerns around accidental ingestion or improper dosing.
The Risks of Overstocking
- Overstocking can feel like a safeguard, but it carries significant risks:
- Expired medications may lose effectiveness or cause adverse reactions.
- Medication mix-ups can occur, especially when different brands or generics look similar.
- Child safety risks increase when medications are not stored securely. According to the CDC, more than 50,000 children under 5 are seen in emergency departments annually due to accidental ingestion of medications.
- Wasted money from buying in bulk or buying redundantly, only to throw items away months or years later.
Building a Smarter Medicine Cabinet: Tips for Families
Here are steps to help families maintain a safe and efficient medicine cabinet:
- Inventory Regularly: Conduct a quarterly check to remove expired or unneeded items.
- Organize by Category: Use bins or labels to sort by symptom (e.g., pain relief, digestion) or age group.
- Match to the Season: Keep only relevant items at the forefront based on the time of year.
- Prioritize Safety: Use child-proof containers and store medications high up or locked away.
- Dispose Responsibly: Take advantage of local medication take-back programs or follow FDA disposal guidelines.
Expert Insight: What Pediatricians and Pharmacists Recommend
Pediatricians recommend keeping only essential medications that are age-appropriate and have clear dosage instructions. Pharmacists stress the importance of not combining multiple products that contain the same active ingredient, such as acetaminophen, which could lead to accidental overdose.
Final Thoughts: Less Is More, But Smart Is Best
A well-stocked medicine cabinet should reflect your family's specific health needs and seasonal lifestyle. It's not about having everything—it's about having what works, when you need it, and ensuring it's stored safely and responsibly.
As we enter allergy season and gear up for summer adventures, consider taking stock. A little organization now can mean faster relief later—and peace of mind all year long.
This story was produced by SaveHealth and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
