Tylenol orders for pregnant women fell after Trump's warning

A Lancet analysis found about a 10% drop in paracetamol orders for pregnant patients seen in emergency departments after President Trump's Sept. 22 warning; the study also reported a roughly 71% rise in new leucovorin prescriptions for some children.

President Donald Trump said on Sept. 22 that pregnant women should not take Tylenol and said the FDA would warn physicians about a possible link with autism. Researchers published an analysis in The Lancet using electronic health records to compare orders and prescriptions before and after the announcement. The study examined emergency department orders for paracetamol in pregnant patients and also tracked new prescriptions for leucovorin in children. Key findings: - The Sept. 22 statement included an instruction for pregnant women to avoid Tylenol and mentioned an FDA warning to clinicians. - The researchers reported about a 10% decline in paracetamol orders for pregnant patients seen in emergency departments after the announcement. - The study authors noted that broader research has not substantiated a causal link between Tylenol in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders. - New prescriptions for leucovorin for children ages 5 to 17 rose by roughly 71% in the period after the statement, according to the analysis. Summary: The Lancet analysis reports changes in medication orders and prescribing patterns following the Sept. 22 statement, including a 10% decline in paracetamol orders for pregnant patients and a 71% rise in leucovorin prescriptions for some children. Undetermined at this time.