Ignore the Noise on Tylenol and Pregnancy, With Jubril Oyeyemi, M.D.

Jubril Oyeyemi, M.D., founder and CEO of the Cherry Hill Free Clinic, wants parents — especially expecting mothers — to know one key fact about the recent headlines linking acetaminophen (Tylenol) to autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): The evidence does not show causation.

According to Oyeyemi, large studies have found only a possible association, not proof that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy directly causes autism or ADHD in children. “It’s similar to saying roosters crowing makes the sun rise,” he explained. “Just because two things happen around the same time doesn’t mean one causes the other.”

He emphasized that respected medical organizations — such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Board of Internal Medicine — have carefully reviewed decades of data. Their guidance consistently advises that acetaminophen remains safe for use during pregnancy when medically necessary, especially compared with leaving serious conditions untreated.

The real harm, Oyeyemi warns, comes from misinformation and guilt. Pregnant women may avoid treating fevers, migraines or pain because of fear, which can put both mother and baby at risk. “The guilt that comes from hearing unsupported claims can be devastating,” he said. “The evidence simply isn’t there to say acetaminophen causes autism.”

Instead of focusing on headlines, Oyeyemi urges parents to trust their health care providers. Doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses understand each patient’s unique medical and social history and can make careful recommendations about when to use medications, and at what dose. “The minimum effective dose, for the shortest time needed, is still safe,” he reassured.

As both a physician and a parent, his message is clear: Ignore the noise. Recommendations should come from trusted experts who have invested years of study, not from speculation or premature conclusions. He added that we should be restoring resources to the researchers and institutions that study these questions carefully rather than spreading fear based on incomplete evidence.

For families navigating pregnancy and parenthood, Oyeyemi’s bottom line is this: Talk to your health care team, trust their guidance and don’t let guilt or misinformation steer your decisions.