EasyScienceSeptember 7, 2025

What the Research Shows About Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Pregnancy

Key Vocabulary

acetaminophen (/əˌsiːtəˈmɪnəfən/)

A common pain and fever medicine (also called Tylenol).
Example: She took acetaminophen for a headache.

autism (/ˈɔːtɪzəm/)

A condition that affects how a person communicates and behaves.
Example: Some children with autism like routine.

association (/əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/)

A link or relationship between two things.
Example: The study found an association between fever and risk.

📖 Article

Many people are talking about whether Tylenol (acetaminophen) in pregnancy affects babies' development. Studies over the last decade have mixed results but they have not proved that the medicine causes autism.

A large study in Sweden compared siblings and did not find a link. One review looked at 46 studies and found that many showed a possible association, so experts say more research is needed and pregnant people should talk with their doctor before using medicines. Health groups still recommend acetaminophen for pain and fever when needed, because untreated fever can harm the mother and baby. Use the lowest effective dose and ask a clinician if you are unsure.

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❓ Quiz

Q1. What medicine is discussed?
Q2. How many studies did one review look at?
Q3. What did the large Sweden study compare?

💬 Discussion

1.

Do you take over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen when you have a fever? Why or why not?

2.

Have you ever been given advice about medicine use during pregnancy? What was the advice?

3.

What do you think is more important: treating a fever quickly or avoiding all medicines? Why?