Tylenol is trending because President Donald Trump and key U.S. health officials recently claimed a possible link between the use of acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism. Trump urged pregnant women to avoid Tylenol unless absolutely necessary, especially warning against its use except in cases of high fever. This announcement triggered significant media coverage, controversy, and a sharp movement in the stock prices of Tylenol's maker, Kenvue Inc. The company and many medical experts have strongly pushed back, stating there is no sound scientific evidence proving a causal link between Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism. Key points about why Tylenol is trending:
- Trump and Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. announced the FDA will notify doctors about this possible autism risk related to acetaminophen during pregnancy.
- The FDA approved a drug called leucovorin for certain autism treatment cases alongside this announcement.
- Tylenol’s maker rejected the claims, stating acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever during pregnancy and warning about risks of untreated fevers.
- Global health authorities, including the WHO, have also rejected the claim of a Tylenol-autism link due to lack of conclusive evidence.
- The issue caused a 7.5% drop then a partial rebound in Kenvue's stock value after the announcements and media attention.
