When a president speaks, the world listens—even when the science says otherwise. This week, a surge of anxiety rippled across Canada after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly asserted that Tylenol use during pregnancy increases the risk of autism in children.
Trump’s comments, made during a formal appearance at the White House, called for physicians to warn expectant mothers against acetaminophen, Tylenol’s active ingredient. He warned of a “very increased risk” of autism, despite presenting no new supporting evidence. The statement drew immediate attention on both sides of the border, compelling Health Canada to respond.
Health Canada, the nation’s leading health authority, took a clear stand by reaffirming that acetaminophen remains a recommended option for pain and fever relief during pregnancy when used as directed. The department cited decades of Canadian experience and a robust, ongoing review of the scientific literature. According to Health Canada, “there is no conclusive evidence that using acetaminophen as directed during pregnancy causes autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.”
The stakes are high for expectant parents who rely on clear, evidence-driven guidance. Untreated pain and fever during pregnancy are not without risk, and Health Canada stressed the importance of following medical advice: use acetaminophen at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration. Tylenol’s manufacturer, Kenvue, and Canadian experts echoed the department’s view, underlining the lack of proof connecting acetaminophen to autism.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada further addressed the controversy, noting that studies suggesting a link have been “consistently refuted by scientific and regulatory bodies.” Meanwhile, Health Canada continues to monitor all available data, promising to update guidance and labels if credible evidence of risk emerges.
For now, Health Canada’s approach underscores the value of rigorous science over rhetoric, urging Canadians to trust established medical consensus and to seek facts from authoritative sources.
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Health Canada pushes back against Trump’s claims about Tylenol in pregnancy
