ADA advocates for peer-reviewed science after Trump administration links Tylenol to autism
Acetaminophen ‘well studied and proven to be safe,’ Association says
The ADA is advocating for peer-reviewed science following recent claims by the White House of a link between Tylenol and autism – a connection many experts emphasize is unsubstantiated.
“Acetaminophen is well studied and proven to be safe for use in pregnancy and is one of the few medicines available to pregnant individuals for pain relief and treatment of acute dental pain. Science does not support claims that acetaminophen use during pregnancy leads to autism. In fact, robust recent data have reinforced that acetaminophen use during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of autism,” according to the ADA.
The ADA also pointed to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which concluded this year that there is no clear evidence of a relationship between acetaminophen and fetal developmental issues. Additionally, an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, called “Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability,” found that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
The Association said it recommends nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs taken with or without acetaminophen as first-line treatments for managing acute dental pain and adolescents 12 and older. When treating for acute dental pain in pregnant and nursing individuals, the ADA encourages dentists to consider the following:
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Individuals should discuss options with their physician and dentist to determine what is the best treatment option available for their specific situation.
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Individuals must consider the potential effects and drug interactions based on available medication options.
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Acetaminophen is the most commonly used over-the-counter pain and fever medication taken during pregnancy, with >50% of pregnant women using acetaminophen worldwide.
“For any acute dental pain situation, different options and a patient’s specific medical history, living circumstances or preferences for individually tailored pain management options will vary. When determining the best available medications and drug interactions, individuals must weigh the potential effects it may have on people who are pregnant or nursing,” the ADA said, encouraging patients to discuss options with their physician and dentist to determine the best treatment for each individual situation.
This follows a Sept. 22 press conference in which President Donald Trump announced that the administration is issuing a warning to doctors not to recommend acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol and other common medications, claiming it could be linked to autism in children. Acetaminophen is one of the only over-the-counter medications approved for pregnant women to use to reduce fevers or pain. Fevers can pose health risks to the mother and baby, according to medical professionals.
President Trump spoke alongside U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Food and Drug Commissioner Marty Makary, National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Federal officials indicated they would also change the label for chemotherapy drug leucovorin to approve its use as treatment for autism, despite limited evidence that the drug, a form of vitamin B, has any effect.
For more information on the ADA’s recommendation on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, please visit ADA.org/painmanagement.
