Rhode Island Health Czar Says Tylenol A 'Safe And Trusted Medication Option'

The director of the Rhode Island Department of Health said Tylenol is a "safe and trusted medication option for pregnant women" despite President Trump's dire warning to avoid taking it.

"Tylenol is a safe and trusted medication option for pregnant women, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and other trusted medical organizations," Dr. Jerry Larkin said Tuesday in a statement.

See also: Trump Threatener Tried Hiding In Bathtub: Feds

During a press conference Monday, Trump urged pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol as it may cause autism in their unborn children, numerous media outlets reported.

A BBC account said Trump "claimed there is a link between the use of painkiller Tylenol by pregnant women and an increased risk of autism in some children."

See also: Gov. McKee Condemns Trump Administration’s Move to Cut Education Funding

"Don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it. Fight like hell not to take it,” Trump said in an NBC news story.

The New York Times reported that Trump advised "pregnant women to 'tough it out' when in pain, except in rare instances, such as a dangerously high fever.

See also: Trump Administration Orders Work Stoppage On Wind Farm Off Rhode Island

A media release issued Monday by the Department of Health and Human Services said the Food and Drug Administration will "issue a physician notice and begin the process to initiate a safety label change for acetaminophen (Tylenol and similar products)."

"HHS will launch a nationwide public service campaign to inform families and protect public health.," the release said.

See also: Trump Vows To End Mail-In Ballots: What RI Voters Need To Know

The link between Tylenol and autism is "not backed by the full body of scientific evidence," Larkin said.

"Autism is complex," he said, "and there has been no evidence of a single cause in the decades it has been researched."

See also: $27M In RI Education Funding Paused By Trump Administration: See Impacted Programs