People should feel reassured that using paracetamol, in line with NHS advice, is safe
Recent claims from US President Donald Trump have suggested that taking paracetamol in pregnancy may cause autism. These comments have caused understandable concern, but health experts and autism charities are clear: there is no credible evidence to support this claim.
Visit NHS website to read the full advice on paracetamol use during pregnancy
What the evidence says:
- The UK medicines regulator, the MHRA, has confirmed paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief in pregnancy when used as directed. There is no evidence that it causes autism.
- Autism charities, including Autistica and the National Autistic Society, have jointly stated that studies suggesting a link are weak, poorly designed, and do not provide reliable evidence. High-quality, well-controlled studies indicate there is no link between paracetamol in pregnancy and autism.
- Untreated pain or fever in pregnancy can be harmful, so safe symptom relief is essential.
Continue to follow NHS guidance
People should feel reassured that using paracetamol, in line with NHS advice, is safe.
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said, “I’ve just got to be really clear about this: there is no evidence to link the use of paracetamol by pregnant women to autism in their children. None.”
He cited a major Swedish study last year, external involving 2.4 million children, which found no link between the drug and autism.
Visit the Jamanetwork website to read the full study
Public health agencies and autism charities agree there is no evidence that paracetamol causes autism, and existing guidance remains unchanged.
Visit gov.uk to read the full the MHRS article
Visit Autistica to see the statement from leading UK autism charities
Visit BBC News to read the Tylenol: Trust doctors over Trump on paracetamol, Wes Streeting story
