Acetaminophen Use Drops Among Pregnant Women After White House Autism Claim

Researchers find prescriptions fell 10% after White House briefing linked drug to autism risk

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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A new analysis found that orders for acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, fell 10% in emergency rooms for pregnant patients in the weeks after a White House briefing last year that linked its use during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism. Meanwhile, prescriptions for the drug leucovorin, which has been studied as a potential treatment for some children with autism, sharply increased during the same period.

Why it matters

This analysis highlights the significant impact that public statements from government officials can have on medical practices, even when the underlying scientific evidence remains inconclusive. The drop in acetaminophen use could have negative health consequences for pregnant women if fevers and pain go untreated, while the rise in leucovorin prescriptions raises questions about off-label use of the drug for autism without clear evidence of its efficacy.

The details

Researchers at Harvard and Brown University looked at data from an electronic health records system with more than 294 million patient records. They found that orders for acetaminophen fell 16% in the first month after the White House news conference and reached a low of 20% in the third week. Meanwhile, new outpatient prescriptions for leucovorin, a form of folic acid, increased sharply for children between ages 5 and 17, with a 93% rise in the first month and a 113% spike in week two.

  • The White House briefing linking acetaminophen to autism risk occurred on September 22, 2025.
  • Acetaminophen orders fell 10% between the briefing on September 22, 2025 and December 7, 2025.
  • Leucovorin prescriptions increased by about 71% from mid-September to early December.

The players

Kenvue Brands LLC

The maker of Tylenol, the brand name for acetaminophen. The company expressed deep concern over the "unfounded claims" about its product and noted the potential risks of pregnant women using acetaminophen less frequently.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health and Human Services Secretary who touted leucovorin as an "exciting therapy that may benefit large numbers of children who suffer from autism" at the September White House briefing.

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG)

The medical organization that strongly rejected the White House's claim that acetaminophen in pregnancy causes autism, calling it "highly concerning," "irresponsible" and "not backed by the full body of scientific evidence."

Dr. Michael Barnett

A physician and professor of health services, policy and practice at Brown University who was one of the researchers on the analysis. He said the White House briefing was an "extremely unusual mechanism to communicate medical information" that showed how political leaders can steer health behavior even without changes in the underlying evidence.

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What they’re saying

“The White House briefing was an extremely unusual mechanism to communicate medical information and bypassed many standard checks on ensuring accurate messaging.”

— Dr. Michael Barnett, Physician and professor of health services, policy and practice at Brown University (Press release)

“It is scientifically known that untreated high fevers pose potential serious risks to a pregnancy, such as miscarriage, pre-term labor and birth, and fetal malformations.”

— Kenvue Brands LLC, Maker of Tylenol (Statement)

What’s next

The analysis did not track over-the-counter use of acetaminophen, so further research is needed to fully understand the impact of the White House briefing on overall acetaminophen use during pregnancy.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential dangers of political leaders making unsubstantiated medical claims, which can lead to sudden and significant changes in healthcare practices even when the scientific evidence does not support those claims. It underscores the importance of relying on established medical authorities and rigorous research when communicating about health issues.