Donald Trump Tylenol announcement: US President claims paracetamol ‘no good’ for pregnant women

US President Donald Trump has stated that taking Tylenol, more commonly known as paracetamol, is “no good” for pregnant women, claiming there is a link with increased rates of autism, also telling parents to spread out vaccines, based on “what I feel”.

The announcement comes as Australia’s TGA says paracetamol is “safe for use in pregnancy”.

“I’ve been waiting for this meeting for 20 years,” Mr Trump said as he entered the Roosevelt Room in the White House alongside Robert F Kennedy Jr and TV famed doctor, Mehmet Oz.

“The meteoric rise in autism is among the most alarming public health developments in history. There’s never been anything like this,” the US President said.

“Just a few decades ago, one in 10,000 kids had autism. It used to be one in 20,000.

“Now, it is one in 31. In some areas, it is much worse than that.

Mr Trump claimed in California, a Democratic-led US State, one in 12 boys are being diagnosed with autism.

The US President said that after his reelection, he instructed his “incredible” doctors to look into the rising rate of autism.

“I think I can say that there are certain groups of people that don’t take vaccines and who don’t take any pills that have no autism,” Mr Trump said.

“Is that a correct statement?” he quickly added, turning to RFK Jr.

Mr Kennedy, who has long been a vaccine sceptic, said: “There are some studies that suggest that with the Amish for example.”

Mr Trump continued, saying: “The Amish, virtually no, I hear none.”

“The Amish, as an example they have essentially no autism.”

On Monday, the TGA said: “Paracetamol remains Pregnancy Category A in Australia, meaning that it is considered safe for use in pregnancy.”

“The TGA has no current active safety investigations for paracetamol and autism, or paracetamol and neurodevelopmental disorders more broadly.

“The TGA does not provide clinical advice; people are encouraged to consult their treating healthcare professionals for clinical advice tailored to their specific circumstances.”

Mr Trump said his Administration was taking action.

“First, effective immediately, the FDA will be notifying physicians that the use of... acetaminophen... which is basically, commonly known as Tylenol, during pregnancy can be associated with a very increased risk of autism,” he said.

“So taking Tylenol is.... ahhhh... not good. I’ll say it, it’s not good.

“For this reason, they are strongly recommending women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary.”

Mr Trump said those reasons include “extreme fever” where women feel they can’t “tough it out”.

“It can be very dangerous to a women’s health,” the US President said.

Mr Trump said women should not take Tylenol throughout their entire pregnancy, adding that parents should reconsider giving the drug to children unless necessary.

Turning to vaccines, Mr Trump said that parents should spread out injections over four to five years.

“They pump so much stuff into those beautiful little babies, it’s a disgrace,” he said.

“I think it’s very bad.

“It looks like they’re pumping into a horse.

“You have a little child, a little fragile child, and you’ve got a vat of 80 different vaccines.

“We want no mercury in the vaccine, we want no aluminium in the vaccine.”

Mr Trump went on to call out the MMR vaccine, which is for measles, mumps, and rubella.

“The MMR, I think, should be taken separately. This is based on what I feel. The, ah, mumps, measles, the three should be taking separately.

“It seems to be when you mix them, there could be a problem.”

Prior to his announcement, health authorities condemned Mr Trump’s expected remarks, saying that the drug has been taken safely for years.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the Australian Government was monitoring the situation.

“We’ll look at it very closely. Our TGA works very closely with the FDA,” Mr Butler said.

In Australia, rates of autism have risen, with one in 40 people being affected.