WSNA rejects Pres., FDA advice on acetaminophen in pregnancy

The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) soundly rejects President Trump’s September 22 statement bluntly and repeatedly telling pregnant people not to take acetaminophen, stating “Don't take Tylenol if you're pregnant, and don't give Tylenol to your child”. During his press conference, the President introduced the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) plans to require a label warning against taking acetaminophen during pregnancy. This is based on an alleged link between acetaminophen and autism. But there is no evidence of a causal link. These warnings risk causing unnecessary fear among patients and families as well as undertreatment of pain and fever. They are reckless and driven by ideology, not science.

This action by the FDA is far from routine. This is demonstrated by the very fact that it was the subject of a public announcement by the President, who peppered the claims of an acetaminophen-link with further misinformation about autism among different population groups and about childhood vaccines. This action aligns with various ideological efforts to undermine proven public health measures such as vaccines.

Nurses provide care for pregnant patients across a variety of healthcare settings. We see firsthand the impact that untreated pain or fever can have on the health and well-being of both the patient and their child. As licensed professionals, nurses are accountable for the care we provide. We know the risks that arise when effective treatments like acetaminophen are delayed or withheld. There are no safe alternatives for treating pain and fever during pregnancy; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs pose known risks to the fetus—as do pain and fever themselves, despite Trump’s admonition to “fight like hell not to take” acetaminophen. While it may be easy for public figures to advance these claims with an ideological bias, it is nurses and other frontline healthcare professionals who must manage the consequences of such misinformation.

WSNA is committed to following the science. The overwhelming body of evidence confirms that acetaminophen is safe and appropriate for the management of pain or fever in pregnancy, and there is no evidence of a causal link to autism.

As nurses, we must recognize that this is a moment to stand up boldly and assertively for our patients. Our responsibility is to protect their health, promote evidence-based care, and ensure that public discourse on health issues remains grounded in science rather than speculation or ideology.