Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says he’s “very concerned” about controversial claims by President Trump and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. that Tylenol, a common over-the-counter pain medication, is linked to “very increased risk of autism,” despite the lack of clear scientific evidence showing a causal relationship.
“I’m obviously very concerned about that. I am a father and a grandfather and just have, as of about seven months ago, a newborn grandson,” Thune told CNN’s Dana Bash in an interview Wednesday.
Thune acknowledged that the Trump administration has referenced studies showing a link between autism and Tylenol but sounded a note of caution about making sweeping statements asserting a definitive link between the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and autism.
“I think there are an awful lot of people in the medical community who come to a different conclusion about the use of Tylenol,” he said.
“And so, I think that — obviously my view is we ought to be very guarded in making broad assertions and make sure that they are well grounded in science and medicine, and where we’re taking the consultation advice of experts in the field and ensuring that these things are all well documented,” Thune added.
Some senior administration officials have tried to soften Trump’s warning about Tylenol in recent days, urging pregnant women to follow the advice of their doctors.
“What I took from the president’s announcement and also the CDC’s recommendations here is we just have to be careful. We know some of these medications have side effects. We know that even despite those side effects, sometimes they’re necessary,” Vice President JD Vance told NewsNation in an interview Wednesday
“So, my guidance to pregnant women would be very simple, which is follow your doctor. Right? Talk to your doctor about these things,” Vance said.
Mehmet Oz, the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), on Tuesday said pregnant women should consult with medical professionals and may consider using Tylenol if they have a high fever.
“If you have a high fever … you ought to be talking to a doctor anyway,” Oz said. “The doctor’s almost certainly going to prescribe you something. Tylenol might be one of the things they give.”
Trump was much stronger in his language when he warned against the use of Tylenol during pregnancy on Monday.
“I want to say it like it is: Don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it. Fight like hell not to take it,” he urged at a White House press event.
