Berrien County Health Department Medical Director Jonathan Beyer is seeking to clear up any misunderstandings in the community about the use of acetaminophen, commonly called Tylenol, among pregnant women following last month’s announcement by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy that it’s linked to autism.

Beyer spoke to the Berrien County Board of Health this week, saying major medical associations agree that acetaminophen is safe. He tells us that hasn’t changed.

“The recommendations from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the recommendations from the American College of Emergency Physicians is that acetaminophen in pregnancy is safe for fever and pain used in conjunction with talking to your doctor in the lowest dose for the shortest period of time,” Beyer said.

Beyer says there’s some confusion about association and causation in the conversation. For example, you could find that there’s a link between carrying a lighter and getting lung cancer, but that doesn’t mean the lung cancer is caused by the lighter. Similarly, because pregnant women can’t take ibuprofen or aspirin due to a proven link to birth defects, they’ve long been advised to use acetaminophen, one of the only other over the counter painkillers available.

Beyer says as an ER doctor, he’s heard from colleagues who have had questions from patients since the RFK announcement, including one adult who wanted to know if Tylenol would make him autistic. He says it won’t.

Beyer’s advice is for everyone to talk with their doctor or trusted medical provider about what course of action is safe.