Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, the makers of Tylenol, alleging that they deliberately concealed the drug’s alleged connection to autism and ADHD. This legal action follows remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested a link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism, despite lacking medical expertise and scientific backing.
Johnson & Johnson had been selling Tylenol for over six decades before transferring some of its operations to Kenvue in 2023, the current distributor of the brand. Kenvue has consistently defended the safety of Tylenol, asserting that acetaminophen is the safest pain relief option for pregnant women throughout their pregnancy.
In response to Paxton’s lawsuit, Kenvue stated its commitment to defending against the allegations and expressed concerns about the spread of misinformation regarding acetaminophen safety. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson refrained from commenting on the lawsuit, emphasizing that Kenvue is accountable for all aspects of Tylenol sales.
Following the lawsuit, Kenvue and Johnson & Johnson’s shares experienced a decline in morning trading. Paxton lodged the complaint in a Texas court, citing the federal government’s recent acknowledgment of the purported risks associated with acetaminophen use during pregnancy, including autism and ADHD.
Paxton accused Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue of violating Texas laws against deceptive trade practices by withholding information about the risks of Tylenol. He also alleged that Johnson & Johnson violated laws related to fraudulent transfers by divesting Kenvue to shield itself from liabilities.
In a separate statement, Health Canada contradicted Trump’s assertions, affirming 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 echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the safety of acetaminophen when used appropriately during pregnancy.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed by families claiming that their children developed autism or ADHD due to Tylenol use during pregnancy. While many of these cases were dismissed last year, an appeal is set to be heard by the federal appeals court in Manhattan in November. Additionally, Johnson & Johnson faces legal challenges from over 73,000 plaintiffs alleging cancer diagnoses linked to the use of its talc products.
