Texas Attorney General Sues Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue Over Tylenol’s Alleged Link to Autism
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Kenvue and Johnson & Johnson, claiming that the use of Tylenol leads to a higher risk of autism and that the over-the-counter drug is deceptively marketed to pregnant women as safe. Many medical experts have disputed such claims, citing a lack of conclusive evidence to support the alleged link between acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, and autism.
The lawsuit, dated Monday, alleges that Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, which separated from Johnson & Johnson in 2023, knew for decades that acetaminophen is dangerous to unborn children and young children, yet hid this danger and deceptively marketed Tylenol as the only safe painkiller for pregnant women. Paxton pointed to the Trump administration’s claims about acetaminophen’s risks, saying that the federal government confirmed what the defendants knew for years: acetaminophen use during pregnancy likely causes conditions like autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Medical Experts Weigh In
However, many top medical experts in the field have stressed that scientific evidence does not support such concerns. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in a statement that “there is no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and fetal developmental issues.” Kenvue also maintained that acetaminophen “is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy.”
Kenvue warned that failing to treat fevers and other ailments with acetaminophen could also expose pregnant women to health risks. “Without it, women face dangerous choices: suffer through conditions like fever that are potentially harmful to both mom and baby or use riskier alternatives,” Kenvue’s statement continued. “High fevers and pain are widely recognized as potential risks to a pregnancy if left untreated.”
Johnson & Johnson Responds
A Johnson & Johnson spokesperson said in a statement that “Johnson & Johnson divested its consumer health business years ago, and all rights and liabilities associated with the sale of its over-the-counter products, including Tylenol (acetaminophen), are owned by Kenvue.” Kenvue said in a statement that Texas’ claims “lack legal merit and scientific support” and vowed to defend itself in litigation.
In September, President Trump, standing alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced that the FDA would immediately notify physicians “that the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy can be associated with a very increased risk of autism.” However, many medical experts have disputed this claim, citing a lack of conclusive evidence to support the alleged link between acetaminophen and autism.
For more information on this topic, visit Here
Image Source: www.cbsnews.com
