Does Tylenol Cause Autism: Separating Fear from Reality

 

When I was growing up, Tylenol was the remedy for almost everything. Whenever I had a fever or a pounding headache, my parents handed me the familiar red-and-white bottle, usually after dinner, and told me to get some sleep. I always woke up feeling better. I never questioned the medicine or worried about hidden risks. So, when I recently started seeing headlines and viral posts claiming that Tylenol causes autism, I felt the same concern many parents and patients feel today: How could a medication trusted for more than half a century suddenly be dangerous?

The myth that has gotten the world in a chokehold, because of the misinformation that is being spread across the world. I want to address not just because it’s widespread, but because misinformation about common medicines can create real fear. Articles like “The Untold Connection Between Tylenol and Autism” paint acetaminophen as a hidden threat fueled by political statements, dramatic trend lines, and biological speculation. But when you look closely at the evidence, the story is far more complex, and ultimately more reassuring, than the rumors suggest.

This myth usually starts with a comparison of the increased autism diagnosis and the increase use of Tylenol. At first glance, the trend lines might look suspicious. However, pairing two rising curves does not prove a causal relationship: correlation does not equal causation. Autism prevalence has risen for many reasons, including expanded diagnostic criteria, increased awareness, earlier screening, and better access to developmental services. Even the FDA has repeatedly stated (most recently in 2023 and 2025) that no conclusive evidence currently links Tylenol to autism. The FDA’s job is risk evaluation of drugs used by millions.

One part of the article that is somewhat true is that the article argues that Tylenol may contribute to autism by overwhelming the body’s glutathione system its main antioxidant pathway. While it is true that acetaminophen is metabolized in part by glutathione, this does not mean that typical use during pregnancy damages the developing brain. While toxicity can happen when you take Acetaminophen, it only happens at very high dosages, not at normal levels. Autism can involve many factors like genetics, prenatal influences, and early development. Many medical organizations like FDA, CDC, ACOG, etc. have confirmed that standard dosage of Tylenol doesn’t cause autism.

              A main reason why this myth still continues with this misinformation is that fear spreads faster than nuance. A lot of people based what they believe off of political statements. They can get emotionally charged anecdotes, and misleading articles which can create the illusion of a hidden danger. And when a medication is used by pregnant women and children, the stakes feel even higher, but myths can cause real harm. Parents may blame themselves for their child’s autism, people may start mistrusting medical professionals and dosing guidelines. Alternatively parents may start blame themselves for their child’s autism. Believing these myths can do real harm to the individuals and others. The real risk is overuse or stacking medications, such as taking Tylenol, NyQuil, and an extra-strength cold medicine without realizing they all contain acetaminophen. Acknowledging uncertainty is part of good science. It is reasonable to use any medication in pregnancy thoughtfully. It is reasonable to avoid unnecessary doses. And it is reasonable to ask questions.

My own experience with Tylenol has been straightforward and positive, and more importantly, science supports its safety when used properly. Autism is a complex developmental condition that cannot be traced to a single household medicine. While research will continue. Current evidence does not support the claim that Tylenol causes autism. In a world full of overwhelming information, patients deserve clarity. So, the next time a headline or shared post suggests a hidden danger behind a familiar medicine, pause, ask questions, and look to credible medical guidance. Misinformation spreads quickly, but informed choices protect our health far more effectively than fear ever could.

By Ditri Patel, A Master's of Medical Science student at the University of Kentucky

 

No, that doesn’t give children autism. Or that.

 

What’s going on?

Critical thinking seems to be becoming more and more of a lost art with each passing year. This is especially evident in the interplay between politics and public health that has arisen in recent years. Fewer and fewer people are going in for doctors’ visits, giving their kids vaccines, and enrolling their kids in public school. Some parents are even refusing to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) while pregnant or give their kids vaccines for fear of them developing autism. These parents claim to do so because they are ”skeptical.” Healthy skepticism is important, true. However, when there is no credible evidence to back up your claim, you must learn to accept the truth with grace rather that double down and endanger your life and that of your loved ones.

How did we get here?

The modern antivaccine movement can be traced back to the late 1990s. A study by Andrew Wakefield and colleagues was published in The Lancet that purportedly linked the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism in children (1). The study was immediately placed under scrutiny for its “small sample size (n=12), the uncontrolled design, and the speculative nature of its conclusions” (2). They also note that “a temporal link between the two is almost predestined: both events, by design (MMR vaccine) or definition (autism), occur in early childhood” (2) (as always, correlation does not equal causation). Despite this, Wakefield’s flawed conclusions made their way into the public consciousness, and he remains a figurehead among vaccine skeptics. He has never faced any criminal convictions or even charges, though his medical license was revoked.  

The discourse surrounding acetaminophen and its link to autism is more recent. Since his appointment to Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in February of this year, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has advised Americans to exercise caution before taking medications (3). In their article for PBS, Thomas Beaumont and Laura Ungar say that he even called women taking Tylenol during pregnancy “irresponsible” (4). Mind you, this was before saying that a woman in a TikTok disagreeing with him had a baby developing in her placenta rather than uterus (4). He has also advised physicians to prescribe the lowest possible dose of acetaminophen or even recommend pregnant women against taking it at all (5). People often take what authority figures say at face value, which can be extremely dangerous. Especially when the person in that position of power has made unsubstantiated claims about public health.

Andrew Wakefield, father of modern  vaccine skepticism (left) and RFK Jr. HHS Secretary

So, what’s the truth?

Autism diagnoses have been on the rise for the past four decades. However, this has also been accompanied by improvements in screening and diagnostic techniques. There is also no single cause of autism (6). The Mayo Clinic says both genetics and the environment can play a role (7). Researchers have found the number of genes to be associated with autism development to be in the hundreds (6). Potential environmental contributors include “viral infections, medications, complications during pregnancy, or air pollutants” (7). It is also important to know that autism is officially called autism spectrum disorder and, as the name implies, it can present in a variety of ways. There is no correlation between any risk factor and the way autism presents (7).

Moreover, there is no established link between vaccines or acetaminophen use in pregnant women and autism (4,5,7). Studies that have investigated this have found no relationship or an associative one at best. In fact, most experts believe it is more dangerous to not give vaccines to children. They are more likely to acquire and spread serious diseases such as whooping cough, measles, and mumps. The vast majority of physicians still say acetaminophen is safe to use, even while pregnant. Dr. Christopher Zahn, Chief of Clinical Practice at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, says “pregnant patients should not be frightened away from the many benefits of acetaminophen” (3). Dr. Salena Zanotti of the Cleveland Clinic commented that acetaminophen is the safest drug to take to treat pain and fever during pregnancy (3).

Autism is a complex disease with multiple potential contributing factors

 What can we do?

Educate others patiently and respectfully. Inform them of the difference between associative and causal relationships. Teach them how to do their own research. Help them understand that science is itself often not an exact science and that mistakes are usually made on the way to discovery. You should be willing to listen to others’ concerns as well. Most importantly, don’t force someone to change their view. Resolution is achieved through discussion, not coercion.

 

 By Evan Strobel, a Master's of Medical Science Student at the University of Kentucky

 

References

 1.     The Editors of The Lancet. (2010). Retraction—ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific            colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children. The Lancet, 375(9713),                                    445.  https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(10)60175-4

2.     Sathyanarayana Rao, T., & Andrade, C. (2011). The MMR vaccine and autism: Sensation, refutation, retraction, and fraud. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 53(2), 95–96. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.82529

3.     Czopek, M. (2025, September 15). 5 things to know about autism and Tylenol during pregnancy. PolitiFact. https://www.politifact.com/article/2025/sep/15/Tylenol-acetaminophen-pregnancy-autism-RFK/

4.     Beaumont, T., & Ungar, L. (2025, October 10). Reupping unproven claims about Tylenol, Kennedy claims a link between circumcision and autism. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/reupping-unproven-claims-about-tylenol-kennedy-claims-a-link-between-circumcision-and-autism#:~:text=Kennedy%20noted%20during%20the%20meeting,vaccine%20confidence%20as%20health%20secretary

5.     Garrison, J. (2025, November 6). RFK Jr. says his position on Tylenol use for pregnant women hasn’t changed. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/06/rfk-jr-tylenol-pregnant-women-autism/87127637007/

6.     Parshall, A. (2025, September 22). Autism has no single cause. here’s how we know. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/autism-has-no-single-cause-research-shows/

7.     Mayo Clinic Staff. (2025, May 22). Autism spectrum disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928

 

Mixing Alcohol and Medications: What are the Risks?

 

You’ve probably seen this warning on medications you’ve taken. Mixing alcohol with certain       medications can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, or loss of coordination.   It also can put you at risk for internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulties in breathing (1).     Alcohol (ethanol) is one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances in the world (2).     Despite its social acceptability, simultaneous use of alcohol and medications can lead to serious         pharmacologic and clinical consequences. Alcohol use remains prevalent across populations, including  patients undergoing drug therapy. Chronic ethanol exposure alters gene expression related to mitochondrial function, immune signaling, and neurotransmitter systems (5).

How Alcohol Affects the Body

Ethanol acts as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, by enhancing GABA activity, inhibiting glutamate, and boosting dopamine. In the liver, it’s metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase and CYP2E1, which are both key players in drug metabolism. Alcohol disrupts the neurochemical and autonomic systems, causing irregular emotional and stress responses, decreased heart rate variability, and chronic headaches or mood swings. These effects can drive individuals to drink more to relieve stress, reinforcing addiction. Alcohol also impairs neurological functions like sleep, body temperature regulation, and coordination. It affects the hypothalamus, leading to heat loss, disrupted REM sleep, and insomnia during withdrawal (6).

Figure 1: A diagram showing the effects of ethanol on the CNS (6)

The impact of alcohol consumption on chronic and acute health outcomes is largely determined by the total volume of alcohol consumed and the pattern of drinking, especially those patterns which are associated with the frequency of drinking (3). Chronic alcohol use damages the cerebellum, resulting in poor muscular coordination, staggering, and peripheral neuropathy. Over time, alcoholics may develop nerve damage and partial paralysis. Neuropsychological tests reveal cognitive impairments such as poor learning, memory loss, and personality changes. (6)

Figure 2: A figure showing the Pharmacokinetics, Determinants of BAC and Predicting BAC (7)

When Two Drugs Collide

         Mixing alcohol with other depressants, for example benzodiazepines, opioids, or sleep aids, can lead to additive CNS effects, increasing risks of respiratory depression and overdose. Even small amounts of alcohol can quickly intensify sedation. Combining substances intensifies their effects, increasing the risk of overdose, injury, organ damage, and risky behaviors. Alcohol mixed with these depressants can cause severe health problems, including slowed breathing, impaired judgment, and brain or organ damage. These combinations also raise the likelihood of developing substance use disorders (4).

        The effects of alcohol vary across different population groups.  For example, when a woman drinks, the alcohol in her bloodstream typically reaches a higher level than a man’s even if both are drinking the same amount. This is because women’s bodies generally have less water than men’s bodies, showing that a given amount of alcohol is more concentrated in a woman’s body than in a man’s. As a result, women are more susceptible to alcohol-related damage to organs such as the liver. Older generations are also at a higher risk for alcohol-medication interactions. Aging slows the body’s ability to break down alcohol, so therefore alcohol remains in a person’s system longer. Older people also are more likely to take a medication that interacts with alcohol and oftentimes they need to take more than one of these medications. (1)

Conclusion

        Mixing alcohol and medications is more than a simple warning. It’s a pharmacologic event that can change how drugs are absorbed, metabolized, and experienced. Although alcohol is widely consumed and socially accepted, its interaction with prescription, over-the-counter, or illicit drugs can lead to dangerous physiological and neurological effects. Alcohol’s role as a central nervous system depressant amplifies the sedative properties of other substances, increasing the likelihood of respiratory depression, and addiction (8).

        Chronic consumption further harms the brain, liver, and nervous system, impairing coordination, memory, and emotional regulation (4). These risks are heightened in vulnerable populations, such as women and older adults, whose bodies process alcohol differently or more slowly. Understanding these interactions is crucial for preventing health complications and consulting with healthcare professionals is best practice. Different doses affect different people, and it should be recognized that even moderate alcohol use can have severe consequences when combined with other drugs.

By Alyssa Colemen, a Master’s of Medical Science student at the University of Kentucky.

References

 1.  Harmful interactions: Mixing alcohol with medicines. (n.d.-b). https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Harmful_Interactions.pdf

2.  MacKillop, J., Agabio, R., & Feldstein Ewing, S. W. (2022, December 22). Hazardous drinking and Alcohol Use Disorders. Nature reviews. Disease primers. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10284465/

3.  World Health Organization. (n.d.). Alcohol. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol

4.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Drinking alcohol while using other drugs can be deadly. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/other-drug-use.html

 

5.  Ethanol metabolism - an overview | sciencedirect topics. (n.d.-a). https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/ethanol-metabolism

6.  Griffith, C. (n.d.). The Neural Effects of Alcohol. Open Access Text. https://www.oatext.com/the-neural-effects-of-alcohol.php

7.  Goldman, M. R., Molina-Castro, M., & Etkins, J. C. (2025, October 1). Recent advances in alcohol metabolism: From the gut to the brain. Physiological reviews. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12345593/

    8.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Alcohol-medication interactions:         Potentially dangerous mixes. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and             Alcoholism.https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-    alcohol/alcohol-medicatio n-interactions-potentially-dangerous-mixes