Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - President Donald Trump on Monday announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising doctors that pregnant women should not take Tylenol due to concerns over autism.
In a letter to physicians, the FDA says an association between acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, and autism has been described in many studies, but a causal relationship has not been established and there are contrary studies in scientific literature.
The FDA advises clinicians should consider minimizing the use of acetaminophen, but also that the recommendation should be balanced with the fact that acetaminophen is the safest over-the-counter alternative in pregnancy.
"During pregnancy, there's really not that many great or even good alternatives to Tylenol at this point," said Dr. Joseph Chow, Medical Director at WNY Immediate Care. "The other popular medication, ibuprofen, certainly has complications with pregnancy that are well documented."
The FDA states that most short-term fevers in pregnant women and young children do not require medication, but the blanket statements given at the White House have concerned some doctors about more serious fevers going untreated.
"Fevers can cause neurological defects, heart defects, oral clefts," said Chow. "There is danger in not treating fever."
Chow and others have noted that the guidance is just that, and Tylenol is still available for anyone to buy.