Well being Canada says there is no such thing as a proof that utilizing Tylenol throughout being pregnant may cause autism or different neurological issues in kids.
The company made the feedback after the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) stated there could also be a hyperlink between acetaminophen and autism. Acetaminophen is the energetic ingredient in Tylenol, which is used as a ache and fever reliever.
“Health Canada currently maintains that there is no conclusive evidence that using acetaminophen as directed during pregnancy causes autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders,” Well being Canada stated in a Sept. 23 assertion.
It stated its recommendation was primarily based on “robust, rigorous assessments of the available scientific evidence,” including any new proof could be “carefully evaluated.”
The FDA notified U.S. medical doctors on Sept. 22 that utilizing acetaminophen throughout being pregnant might include an elevated threat of neurological situations.
The FDA stated it was additionally requiring an replace label for acetaminophen, which can embody the details about a hyperlink between the drug and autism.
The transfer comes after U.S. well being officers stated a number of research have discovered that acetaminophen use throughout being pregnant can improve the chance of autism, together with a evaluate of 46 prior research revealed in August.
One of many researchers of that research, Diddier Prada of the Icahn College of Drugs at Mount Sinai, stated they discovered that higher-quality research “are more likely to show a link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD.”
Well being Canada stated it nonetheless recommends acetaminophen as a ache or fever remedy for pregnant girls, including that the remedy has been “used safely by millions of Canadians for decades,” together with throughout being pregnant and whereas breastfeeding.
It suggested sufferers to make use of the “lowest effective dose” for the “shortest duration.”
The group stated that untreated fever and ache for a pregnant girl may cause dangers to the unborn youngster.
Pregnant girls who’ve considerations are suggested to speak to their well being care supplier, it stated.
Well being Canada stated it screens the security of all approved medicines and if new scientific proof demonstrated a threat, it might take motion to replace labels, inform well being care professionals, and supply recommendation to Canadians.
A spokesperson for Tylenol’s mum or dad firm, Kenvue, beforehand instructed The Epoch Instances in an electronic mail that they disagreed with the FDA’s place.
“We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism. We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers,” it stated.
Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
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