Health Secretary Kennedy: No Sufficient Evidence Linking Tylenol to Autism

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Health Secretary Addresses Tylenol and Autism Link

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a statement on October 29 regarding the potential link between Tylenol and autism, emphasizing that there is currently not enough evidence to confirm a definitive connection. This comes after the White House advised against using the medication for pregnant women and young children. Despite this, Kennedy noted that while the evidence does not conclusively show that Tylenol causes autism, it should still be used with caution.

Kennedy's remarks were made in response to ongoing discussions about the safety of Tylenol, which is also known as acetaminophen. The drug has been widely available for many years and is commonly used for pain relief. His comments followed a significant development when the Republican state of Texas filed a lawsuit against Kenvue, the manufacturer of Tylenol.

In his statement, Kennedy highlighted the results of various studies, including animal, blood, and observational research, which suggest a possible association between Tylenol use during pregnancy and the perinatal period with autism. However, he stressed that these findings are not conclusive. "There is a suggestive association," he said, adding that a cautious approach is necessary.

When asked if his latest comments indicated a shift in his position, Emily G. Hilliard, the press secretary for Health and Human Services, stated that the Secretary's stance has remained consistent from the beginning. This suggests that despite the recent emphasis on caution, the core message remains unchanged.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in April that the prevalence of autism among children in the United States has increased significantly. In 2022, 1 in 31 children were diagnosed with autism by age 8, compared to 1 in 36 in 2020. The rate among boys was even higher, at 1 in 20, and this is five times greater than the rate in 2000.

Earlier in August, Kennedy mentioned a study he led in April that identified potential interventions linked to autism. A month later, he and President Donald Trump held a press conference to warn pregnant women against taking Tylenol without citing scientific evidence. Trump repeatedly urged pregnant women to avoid the medication, stating, “Don’t take Tylenol,” and encouraging them to fight against its use.

On October 26, as he traveled to Asia, Trump reiterated his warning on Truth Social, advising pregnant women to avoid Tylenol unless absolutely necessary and to refrain from giving it to young children for any reason.

Kennedy has consistently emphasized that there is no clear scientific evidence linking Tylenol to autism. During a Cabinet meeting with Trump, he stated that anyone taking the medication during pregnancy without necessity is being irresponsible. He also mentioned that they are conducting studies to establish definitive proof.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on September 22 that it would issue a physician notice and begin the process of updating the safety label for acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. The FDA cited prior clinical and laboratory studies suggesting a potential link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, the agency also acknowledged studies showing no association and the risks of untreated fever during pregnancy.

The Department of Health and Human Services has encouraged clinicians to exercise their best judgment due to conflicting literature and the lack of clear causal evidence. This has led to a call for careful consideration when prescribing or recommending Tylenol.

Kennedy’s claims initially affected the stock price of Kenvue, a consumer health company spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023. The company has faced pushback from many doctors and has defended Tylenol, stating there is no scientific link to autism. Kenvue has also urged the FDA to reject the call for an autism warning on Tylenol's label and has reportedly hired a new marketing chief.

"We agree, as Secretary Kennedy said, that the best message to pregnant women is to consult their healthcare professional before taking acetaminophen, which is what our Tylenol label tells consumers to do. We also agree that there is no definitive causative association between taking acetaminophen and autism," the company stated in a release.

Kenvue shares experienced a slight decline of 1.4% at market close on October 29.