PETALING JAYA: Medical experts have dismissed claims that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism, saying the widely used painkiller is safe when taken as recommended.
Paracetamol, known as Tylenol in the United States and Panadol in Malaysia, is approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) for use by pregnant women.
However, pharmacists stress it should still be taken with caution to avoid overdosing or allergic reactions in pregnant women.
The concerns surfaced after US President Donald Trump announced that the US Food and Drug Administration would warn doctors that Tylenol use during pregnancy posed a “very increased risk of autism”.
Trump was reported as saying, “They are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary,” such as to treat fever “if you can’t tough it out”.
Public health medicine specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia cited a large study involving 2.5 million children in Sweden that found no causal link between paracetamol and autism.
“Many other factors contribute to autism, such as parental age and environmental influences,” she said, advising pregnant women to use it only within permitted doses, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy.
Consultant paediatrician and child disability advocate Datuk Dr Amar Singh HSS noted that the World Health Organisation, the European Union and UK health agencies had all disputed the US warning.
“What’s more, numerous specialists from all over the world have fact-checked these false claims and debunked them.
“Any person or group who claims to know what causes autism is misleading the public and should instead listen to the science,” said Dr Amar.
Another consultant paediatrician, Datuk Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, stressed that autism spectrum disorder is a neurological trait highly attributable to genetics.
He urged the Health Ministry to be more proactive in countering unfounded claims from non-medical yet influential figures.
“Malaysian parents and pregnant women need reassurance that the medicines prescribed to them are backed by science and have contributed to massive public health advancements over the last five decades,” he said.
Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Muniswaran Ganeshan of Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur added that paracetamol is among the safest medications during pregnancy, in line with recommendations from the UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and its American counterpart.
“Denying safe medication risks stigmatising pregnant women and undermining their right to essential treatment,” he warned.
Malaysian Pharmacists Society president Amrahi Buang dismissed Trump’s remarks, reminding that paracetamol is a common over-the-counter medicine in Malaysia.
“Pharmacists must ensure pregnant women are properly advised, especially if there are allergies. I am sure NPRA is aware of these claims and will monitor developments, but for now, the claim is simply untrue,” he said.
Experts also caution that untreated fever in pregnancy can be dangerous, raising the risk of miscarriage, birth defects and high blood pressure.
Paracetamol remains the only over-the-counter option considered safe for pain and fever relief during pregnancy.
