The Trump administration’s declaration last week linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to autism is inconclusive at best, as many experts have pointed out. Major medical societies quickly weighed in to affirm that the ubiquitous over-the-counter medication remains a safe and appropriate choice, including for treating high fevers in pregnant women and children.

But what’s missing from this debate is a far more pressing concern: Acetaminophen, commonly referred to by the brand name Tylenol, carries very real risks when taken in higher-than-recommended doses. It is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States and is responsible for 1 in 5 liver transplants. Public health efforts should be targeting these dangers rather than stoking unfounded fears of neurological harm.

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