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Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo is voicing support for a federal investigation into whether Tylenol use during pregnancy could be linked to higher rates of autism and ADHD diagnoses in children.
- Advertisement - Speaking at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine, Ladapo said that while the data is “messy,” there are enough findings to warrant caution. “Not all the studies find that, but some of the studies do find that, and some of those studies are very good,” Ladapo said. “So I think that their recommendation is the right place to be in terms of discouraging its use.”
The probe, launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is examining whether acetaminophen — the active ingredient in Tylenol — may have deleterious effects when used during pregnancy. Ladapo called the effort a “merger of good intentions and courage.”
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He also cited support from figures including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and doctors Mehmet Oz and Marty Makary, who he said are in a “place that is more honest” about the risks despite ongoing disputes in the research. “They acknowledge that not all the studies show harm, but some of them do show relation,” Ladapo added. “It does appear to be that it’s reasonable to conclude that it may be contributing to the prevalence of autism in children.”
Dr. Oz Walks Back His Comments
While Ladapo pointed to Dr. Mehmet Oz as a supporter of the probe, Oz has since softened his stance. After appearing alongside other officials at the press conference, Oz clarified in follow-up interviews that Tylenol might still be appropriate in some medical situations, particularly for managing high fevers during pregnancy.
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He cautioned against interpreting the earlier statements as a blanket rejection of acetaminophen, instead emphasizing the importance of physician judgment and case-by-case evaluation. His remarks suggest a more nuanced position than what was initially presented at the press event.
Conflicting Data and Pushback
The federal government has acknowledged a lack of consensus. While studies such as the Nurses’ Health Study II and the Boston Birth Cohort have reported associations between prenatal Tylenol exposure and later diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), other research has contradicted those results.
“Scandinavian studies, comparing exposed and unexposed siblings, have not shown significant associations,” the HHS fact sheet noted.
Despite the conflicting data, Ladapo maintained that erring on the side of caution is appropriate. “Some of the studies do find that, and some of those studies are very good,” he said, reiterating his belief that discouraging use during pregnancy is a reasonable step.
Medical Groups Reject Link
The Autism Science Foundation, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Kenvue — Tylenol’s parent company — strongly dispute the alleged connection.
“We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism,” a Kenvue spokesperson said. “We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers.”
Kenvue also noted that while its stock price briefly dipped following the announcement, it quickly recovered, providing opportunities for active investors on both ends of the fluctuation.
Political and Public Health Implications
Governor Ron DeSantis suggested Ladapo may issue further guidance if needed. Meanwhile, public health experts continue to debate the issue as expectant mothers face conflicting information between government probes, medical organizations, and pharmaceutical companies.
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