(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump is expected to announce that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, causes autism and tout a little-known drug as a treatment.
The move comes after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. first raised the idea of Tylenol use during pregnancy as a cause of autism, though doctors say the medicine is safe and not linked to the condition. Autism has been a particular focus for Kennedy, who has called the condition an “epidemic.”
Trump is expected to highlight the Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of a new form of leucovorin, which the administration is likely to hail as a cure for autism.
What is leucovorin?
Leucovorin is typically used to treat the side effects of high-dose methotrexate, a drug used in chemotherapy and to treat autoimmune disease. It is also used to treat some types of anemia and as part of treatment regimens for certain kinds of cancer.
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Leucovorin acts in the body the same way as folic acid. Folic acid aids the body in the creation of new cells, making it especially important during pregnancy. A form of B vitamins, folic acid is present in leafy greens, fruits, dried beans and peas and enriched bread products. It can also be taken as a dietary supplement.
Can leucovorin treat autism?
Limited research has shown that leucovorin can lead to language and behavior improvement in children with autism-like symptoms.
But those studies have been small, and researchers say there is not enough evidence to determine whether autistic children can benefit from leucovorin. It’s also not clear whether folate deficiency could play a role in all autism cases or just some of them.
Are there risks to leucovorin?
This would not be the first time Trump has encouraged the use of a medication that has limited or no evidence behind it.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, he promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug used to treat autoimmune disease, and ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug used to fight parasitic worm infections and some skin conditions, to fight COVID. Both medications are ineffective at fighting COVID and can come with serious side effects.
Leucovorin also comes with a risk of side effects, including allergic reactions.
