Pregnant Women Say, "Medical Advice Should Come from Experts"
Sharing Videos on TikTok of Taking Tylenol in Protest
After U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Tylenol increases the risk of giving birth to children with autism, pregnant women in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries are pushing back by participating in the so-called "Tylenol Challenge" on social media platforms.
Pregnant women are participating in a challenge on TikTok where they post videos of themselves taking Tylenol. TikTok screenshot
According to the British daily Daily Mail on the 23rd (local time), numerous videos have recently been uploaded to TikTok showing pregnant women taking Tylenol. Participants in the so-called "Tylenol Challenge" are sending a message that they will not follow claims that are not based on scientific research.
Grace, a pregnant woman living in the United States, posted a video of herself taking Tylenol and dancing, saying, "This is a video of a pregnant woman who trusts science and does not trust people without a medical background, taking Tylenol." The video garnered 305,000 views in just 17 hours.
Another pregnant woman, Natalie, also said, "I'm taking Tylenol because I have a headache," and added, "I do not listen to medical advice from anyone who does not have a degree in science, healthcare, or medicine."
This movement is spreading to other countries, including the United Kingdom. Amy, a pregnant woman living in the UK, joined the protest by posting a humorous video in which she punches her husband in the face as he tries to stop her from taking Tylenol. Amy, who is raising a son with autism, emphasized, "The link between Tylenol and autism has already been refuted multiple times."
This controversy began when U.S. President Donald Trump claimed at a press conference on the 22nd that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy could increase the risk of giving birth to a child with autism. He argued that medication should be avoided as much as possible, but said, "If it is unbearable and you cannot stand it, there is no other choice but to take it, but you should take as little as possible."
Health authorities and experts officially refuted President Trump's claims. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, criticized Trump's remarks as being based on bad science, stating, "He sent a harmful and confusing message to pregnant women."
The World Health Organization (WHO) also countered by stating that there is no consistent scientific evidence proving a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and the occurrence of autism.
Until now, acetaminophen has been considered virtually the only medication that pregnant women can safely take for fever and pain relief.
On the 25th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea stated regarding pregnant women in the country, "Fever and pain relievers containing acetaminophen can be taken after consulting with a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional, in accordance with existing precautions for use." The Ministry explained that a high fever of over 38 degrees Celsius during early pregnancy can affect the fetal nervous system, so in cases of severe symptoms, the medication can be used.
However, the Ministry recommended that the daily dosage should not exceed 4,000 mg. The Ministry also emphasized that whether or not to take the medication may vary depending on each individual's health condition, so it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before use.
Additionally, the Ministry requested that companies related to Tylenol submit their opinions and data regarding the U.S. government's announcement, and stated that if additional scientific evidence is confirmed, it will be reflected in the precautions for use and other relevant information.
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