Study says acetaminophen use in pregnancy remains reassuring

A new Canadian practice paper says the latest evidence supports the safety of acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol or paracetamol, for pregnant people when used as directed. The article says the paper in CMAJ was prompted by concern after unsupported claims in the United States linked Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism. Canadian doctors say those claims led to confusion among patients and clinicians, while the strongest studies have not found a clear association. Researchers and physicians also used the example to highlight the value of socalled null findings, or studies that find no link or no difference. They said these results can help counter medical misinformation, reduce unnecessary fear, and guide treatment decisions more accurately. The story also notes that similar null findings have mattered in other areas of medicine, including research on hormonal contraceptives and idiopathic intracranial hypertension, where a review found no association between birth control and the condition.