What is Tylenol, the Drug Donald Trump Held a Press Conference to Talk About?

Tylenol is suddenly at the center of a heated conversation after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed in a press conference that the drug could be linked to an increased risk of autism if taken during

pregnancy. His remarks sparked widespread debate on social media, where millions weighed in on the safety of the medicine, especially for expecting mothers. But what exactly is Tylenol - and why is it so widely used in the first place?

What is Tylenol?

Tylenol is one of the most commonly used painkillers in the United States. Its active ingredient is acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol outside the U.S.), a drug that reduces pain and lowers fever. It is widely available as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, meaning people can purchase it without a prescription.Americans frequently turn to Tylenol for a variety of conditions, including headaches and migraines, cold or flu symptoms, muscle aches and back pain, arthritis pain, menstrual cramps, fever in both adults and children. Because it is generally considered gentle on the stomach, Tylenol is often the go-to choice for people who cannot tolerate other painkillers such as those with a history of stomach ulcers, people on aspirin therapy for heart conditions or older adults with kidney concerns. Pediatric Tylenol also make it a staple in many households for managing fevers and pain in children, with dosage recommended according to the child’s age and weight.

How is Tylenol different from Aspirin and Ibuprofen?

Unlike other common painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin, Tylenol is not a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This means it does not reduce inflammation but instead works primarily by altering the way the body senses pain and regulates temperature. It’s also not an antibiotic, so there’s no risk of bacterial resistance or complications from missing a dose. However, medical experts consistently warn against overuse: taking more than the recommended dose can lead to serious liver damage, and in rare cases, allergic reactions. Because it is considered relatively safe in pregnancy, many women take acetaminophen for fever or discomfort during those months. And it is precisely this use during pregnancy that has become the center of Trump’s controversial comments.

What Did Donald Trump Say About Tylenol?

At his press conference, Trump said, “Taking Tylenol is not good. I will say it, it is not good. If taken during pregnancy, it can lead to an increased risk of autism.” The remarks shocked medical societies and doctors across the US who expressed surprise and concern, pointing out that acetaminophen is still regarded as the safest option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy when used in proper doses. At the same time, Trump talked about ongoing pharmaceutical developments, including the approval of Leucovorin, a drug used in autism treatment.

Who Makes Tylenol?

Today, Tylenol is manufactured by Kenvue, a spinoff of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) that officially began operating in 2023. But the brand’s history goes back decades. In 1955, Tylenol was first introduced by McNeil Laboratories as an alternative to aspirin, marketed specifically for children under the name Elixir Tylenol. Then in 1959, Johnson & Johnson acquired McNeil Laboratories and in 1960, Tylenol officially became available as an over-the-counter medicine, cementing its place as a household name in the US.READ MORE: Trump Autism Announcement: Highlights From US President's Statements On Tylenol, Leucovorin, And MMR VaccineRobert L. McNeil Jr. was credited for bringing Tylenol to market and played a pivotal role in its success. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 94, remembered for introducing what would become one of the world’s best-known painkillers.Tylenol has not been without controversy. In 2010, J&J’s McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit recalled more than 136 million bottles of liquid children’s Tylenol and other pediatric products after quality control issues at one of its manufacturing plants. The recall raised concerns about product safety.

What Does Research Say About Autism and Acetaminophen?

The scientific evidence on whether acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) is linked to autism has been mixed and inconclusive. Much of the research so far has relied on observational studies, however experts debate that such studies cannot prove cause and effect because many other factors like genetics, environment or health conditions can influence outcomes.Over the years, different studies have pointed in different directions:2008: One study suggested that acetaminophen use in infants aged 12 to 18 months was associated with a higher likelihood of later autism diagnoses. The researchers themselves said that the findings were not conclusive and recommended further investigation.2019: A study conducted at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found a potential association between prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and autism. This study too was limited by the challenges of drawing causal links from observational data.2024: This was one of the largest studies to date and analysed the medical records of 2.5 million siblings born in Sweden over 25 years. This research found no increased risk of autism in children whose mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy compared to their siblings whose mothers did not. Since it considered family-related genetic and environmental factors, it carries more weight than many earlier reports.Most medical experts are still convinced that the current body of evidence does not establish a direct causal relationship between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism. Most medical societies still recommend acetaminophen as the safest available option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy, provided it is taken in the correct dose and only when necessary.