President Donald Trump made a bold claim during a press conference on September 22, suggesting a link between acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) and autism.
Standing alongside Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump told the press that Tylenol should be discouraged during pregnancy due to potential links to autism, referencing a dramatic surge in autism diagnoses.
But what does Tylenol's parent company, Kenvue, have to say?
Kenvue Responds to Trump’s Claims
Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, quickly issued a statement to distance itself from the president’s claims.
The company “strongly” refuted any suggestion that acetaminophen could cause autism, per Al Jazeera.
"We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism," Kenvue said.
The company expressed concern about the potential harm such statements could cause, emphasizing that they could create unnecessary fear among expecting mothers.
This issue gained more attention as a 2017 tweet from Tylenol resurfaced, where the company responded to concerns about the safety of its products during pregnancy.
The tweet stated: "We actually don't recommend using any of our products while pregnant."
This message seemed to align with the recent push by the Trump administration, causing a stir among social media users who pointed out the inconsistency.
Some even defended Trump’s new stance, asking why the president and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were being criticized for advising against Tylenol use during pregnancy.
Trump’s Bold Statement on Tylenol and Autism
Trump's comments came after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following his address at the United Nations.
"Since 2000, autism rates have surged by much more than 400 percent," Trump said, suggesting that this surge could be related to the widespread use of acetaminophen during pregnancy.
He added that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be notifying doctors to limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary.
This announcement quickly caught the attention of the public and healthcare professionals alike, sparking widespread backlash.
Many health experts, including pediatricians and obstetricians, have criticized Trump’s suggestion, arguing that there is no scientific evidence linking acetaminophen use to autism.
Impact on Kenvue’s Stock and Public Perception
While the medical community voiced its concerns, the financial world also responded to Trump’s comments.
Kenvue, which makes Tylenol and generates about $1 billion in annual sales from the product, saw its shares rebound by 6% after an initial drop following Trump’s announcement, per Reuters.
Analysts noted that the lack of new scientific evidence to support Trump’s claims helped stabilize the stock, despite the media frenzy.
James Harlow, vice president at Novare Capital Management, remarked: “Investors were holding their breath worried that yesterday's announcement would be a bombshell. It turned out it wasn't, as no new scientific evidence was presented linking Tylenol to autism.”
The European Union and British health agencies have also affirmed the safety of paracetamol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy, with the World Health Organization urging caution but pointing out the inconsistency in the evidence regarding any potential link.