As Paracetamol Debate Reaches Fever Pitch, Tylenol's 2017 Post Goes Viral

In a renewed and contentious debate over the use of paracetamol during pregnancy, a 2017 social media post by the Tylenol brand has resurfaced and gone viral. The post, which stated, “We actually don’t

recommend using any of our products while pregnant,” has been widely shared, adding fuel to an already heated discussion sparked by recent, conflicting scientific findings.

We actually don’t recommend using any of our products while pregnant. Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns today.

— TYLENOL® (@tylenol) March 7, 2017

The context for the post’s virality lies in a recent push by some individuals, including US President Donald Trump, to link the use of paracetamol (known as acetaminophen in the US) to autism and ADHD in children. This assertion, which has led to ongoing legal cases in the US, has been largely rejected by major international health bodies and regulators. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), among others, have explicitly stated that there is no causal link and that paracetamol remains the first-choice painkiller for pregnant women when used as directed.

However, the debate has been complicated by a recent review of 46 studies that suggested a potential association between prolonged, chronic use of the drug and neurodevelopmental disorders. This finding, while not establishing a direct causal link, has prompted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a process for a label change on acetaminophen products. The FDA’s letter to clinicians urges caution and a “precautionary principle”, advising that the drug be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration under medical guidance.

The medical consensus remains that the risks of not treating conditions like high fever and severe pain during pregnancy are far greater than the unproven risks associated with paracetamol. Untreated fever can lead to serious complications for both mother and fetus, including neural tube defects and preterm birth. While the Tylenol post from 2017 may seem to contradict this, it likely reflected a general corporate policy of caution rather than a specific medical recommendation. With regulatory bodies outside the US standing firm on the safety of the drug, the focus for expectant mothers remains on consulting their healthcare provider to weigh the benefits and risks for their specific circumstances.