Debate rises over possible link between Tylenol and autism

More people have been hesitant to use Tylenol as the White House claimed that there is evidence indicating a link between acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and ADHD.

This has been a controversial topic as it has sparked a heated debate among healthcare professionals about the impact that it may have on pregnant women. The credibility of this statement has also been questioned as there have been conflicting data in studies made by universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Johns Hopkins.

“There is currently no conclusive scientific evidence confirming a possible link between autism and the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy,” wrote the World Health Organization on its website.

Tylenol is a commonly used pain reliever for minor aches and a quick fever reducer. It contains acetaminophen, a medication that temporarily blocks pain receptors in the brain. Even though it is generally a safe product and has been around for a long time, some concerns have been raised about its potential to cause liver damage and accidental overdoses.

“The only negative effects are if people are using too much of it, and that’s going to put a little bit of stress on the kidney,” said health teacher Erika Ikemoto.

This announcement regarding the link between acetaminophen and autism can create fear and concern among women, as this could discourage them from using Tylenol during their pregnancy even if they might be suffering from severe pain.

“There is no evidence of acetaminophen leading to autism. Tylenol has been on the market as a mild pain reliever for at least six decades,” said Ikemoto.

Some people have pointed out that Tylenol advised the public in the past that their products should not be used during pregnancy. “We actually don’t recommend using any of our products while pregnant,” said Tylenol in a tweet back in 2017.

Tylenol has warning and caution labels on their products, mainly due to the fact that they don’t want to be liable for anything if an accident were to happen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering adding another label that warns users of the possible link to autism in children.

Although some studies seem to show a correlation between Tylenol and autism, it does not mean that it is the fundamental cause of autism. Researchers need to take genetics and environmental factors into consideration before reaching an answer.

Autism is currently on the rise around the world due to a number of factors, but mostly because of more people having access to the resources that can help them get diagnosed and changes in diagnostic criteria.