Paracetamol and pregnancy: UK health regulator reassures mums after Trump's autism claim sparks concern
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency says there’s no evidence linking paracetamol in pregnancy to autism, after US claims raised fears.
Pregnant women in the UK have been reassured that paracetamol remains the safest option for pain relief after controversial claims in the US suggested it could be linked to autism in children.
US President Donald Trump claimed that taking Tylenol (the US brand name for paracetamol) in pregnancy “is no good” and urged women to “fight like hell” to avoid it. His comments followed a statement on Monday from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which advised doctors to consider minimising paracetamol use during pregnancy.
The remarks sparked global headlines, a backlash from the scientific community and widespread anxiety among expectant parents – but UK experts are clear: there is no evidence paracetamol causes autism.
UK regulator sets the record straight
Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said:
“Patient safety is our top priority. There is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children.
“Paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed. Pregnant women should continue to follow existing NHS guidance and speak to their healthcare professional if they have questions about any medication during pregnancy. Untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn baby, so it is important to manage these symptoms with the recommended treatment.”
What does research say about paracetamol and pregnancy
Some small studies have hinted at a possible link between paracetamol use early in pregnancy and slightly higher rates of autism in children. But experts stress that these findings are inconclusive and cannot prove that paracetamol is the cause.
In fact, larger and more robust studies suggest otherwise. In 2024, Swedish researchers1 looked at the health records of nearly 2.5 million children born over 24 years and found no link between maternal paracetamol use and autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.
Researchers generally agree that autism develops through a complex mix of genetics and environmental influences, such as parental age, prenatal air pollution exposure, and complications at birth.
Advice for pregnant women
The MHRA emphasises that paracetamol should remain the first-choice painkiller in pregnancy, but recommends using the lowest dose for the shortest possible time.
Dr Cave added: “Our advice on medicines in pregnancy is based on rigorous assessment of the best available scientific evidence. Any new evidence that could affect our recommendations would be carefully evaluated by our independent scientific experts.
“We continuously monitor the safety of all medicines, including those used during pregnancy, through robust monitoring and surveillance. We encourage anyone to report any suspected side effects to us via the Yellow Card scheme.”
If you’re pregnant and struggling with pain or fever, you don’t need to panic about paracetamol. NHS advice remains the same: it’s the safest option available, provided you take the lowest effective dose for the shortest time.
Don’t stop taking your medication without talking to your midwife, GP or pharmacist. Untreated pain and fever can be more harmful to you and your baby than carefully managed paracetamol use.
References:
1. Ahlqvist VH, Sjöqvist H, Dalman C, et al. Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability. JAMA. 2024;331(14):1205–1214. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.3172