Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, the makers of Tylenol, alleging that they deliberately concealed the drug’s potential links to autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
This legal action follows remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that using Tylenol during pregnancy could lead to autism in children. It is important to note that Trump is not a medical expert, and his assertion lacks scientific validation.
Having sold Tylenol for over six decades, Johnson & Johnson later transferred some of its operations to Kenvue in 2023, which now markets the brand. Acetaminophen is the generic name for this pain reliever.
Kenvue has consistently defended the safety of Tylenol, affirming in a statement its intention to contest Paxton’s lawsuit. They emphasized that acetaminophen is the safest pain relief option for pregnant women throughout their pregnancies, expressing concern over the spread of misinformation regarding its safety.
Johnson & Johnson refrained from commenting on Paxton’s legal action, clarifying in a separate statement that Kenvue assumes all responsibilities and liabilities related to the sale of its over-the-counter products, including Tylenol.
In response to the lawsuit, shares of Kenvue dropped by up to 2.4% in morning trading, while Johnson & Johnson’s shares fell by as much as 1.6%.
Paxton filed the lawsuit in a Texas state court in Panola County, where Trump garnered significant support in the 2024 presidential election. He cited the federal government’s recent acknowledgment that acetaminophen usage during pregnancy could potentially lead to autism and ADHD, accusing Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue of withholding this crucial information from expectant mothers.
The attorney general further pointed out that Johnson & Johnson violated Texas laws against deceptive trade practices by concealing risks and against fraudulent transfers by spinning off Kenvue to evade accountability.
It is worth noting that numerous families have initiated private lawsuits alleging that their children developed autism or ADHD due to their mothers’ use of Tylenol while pregnant. Although many of these cases were dismissed by a judge last December, the families are set to make their appeal in the federal appeals court in Manhattan on November 17.
Furthermore, Johnson & Johnson is facing legal challenges from over 73,000 plaintiffs who claim to have developed cancer after using the company’s talc products, including baby powder.
Health Canada has refuted Trump’s assertions, emphasizing that Tylenol is a recommended treatment for fever and pain during pregnancy when used as directed by healthcare providers. They stated that there is no conclusive evidence linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada also reiterated the safety and appropriateness of using the painkiller during pregnancy as needed.