The ‘Substance Abuse aftermath’ of the Tylenol - Autism Announcement

US President, Health and Human Services Secretary and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service Admin during press briefing - Image Source ABC

On September 22, 2025, US President Donald Trump, joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, held a press conference to address concerns regarding acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy.

Tylenol, produced by Johnson & Johnson and one of the most prevalent over-the-counter pain relievers in the US (think Paracetamol if you are outside the US), has long been regarded as safe when used as directed. Citing statistics on the rising cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses, the administration advised pregnant women to avoid the medication unless explicitly recommended by a physician in exceptional circumstances. The announcement sparked reactions from both the medical field and the public.

First Thoughts

Immediately after the announcement, I had the following questions, given my research in addiction and substance use disorder:

• does taking tylenol in pregnancy now count as prenatal drug exposure given the autism link?
• could this trigger the same legal or child welfare consequences as other drugs, or is it a different case?
• from a policy perspective, what is the ‘right amount of facts/evidence’ needed to make a policy directive?
• is this the start of another Purdue Pharma‑style story?

Reactions from some pregnant women

As the day went by, pregnant women flooded social media, taking Tylenol on camera to “disprove” the Trump administration’s autism-Tylenol link, and my focus shifted to one of my studies that looked at how state laws/policies affect access to mental health for women (with substance use disorder) and their unborn children (prenatal care).

Loosely put, substance abuse is using any substance, legal or illegal, incl prescribed or over-the-counter meds, excessively or for purposes other than those intended, and taking Tylenol to ‘prove a point’ fall under that.

Mental Health Perspective

The jury is still out on the link between Tylenol and autism, and we need to wait for the results of the newly funded research projects.

In the meantime:

• Follow directions: Do not use any medication in ways other than prescribed or recommended.
• Lock it up: If you have children or young people at home, keep all medications in secure lock boxes.
• Seek medical guidance: For persistent or prolonged pain, consult a healthcare professional instead of self-medicating.
• Resist performative risks: Avoid using medication as a form of advocacy, resistance, or defiance…your health and the safety of those around you matter most.