Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, the makers of Tylenol, alleging that they concealed the drug’s potential ties to autism and ADHD. This legal action follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent unsubstantiated claim that using Tylenol while pregnant could lead to autism in children. Johnson & Johnson had sold Tylenol for over six decades before transferring some of its operations to Kenvue in 2023, which now markets the product. Kenvue has defended Tylenol’s safety, stating that acetaminophen is the safest pain relief option for pregnant women. Johnson & Johnson refrained from commenting on the lawsuit, emphasizing that Kenvue is accountable for Tylenol. Kenvue’s stock dropped by 2.4%, while Johnson & Johnson’s shares fell by 1.6% in early trading. Paxton asserted that the federal government had verified the risks associated with Tylenol, linking it to autism and ADHD during pregnancy, and accused Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue of failing to warn expectant mothers despite substantial evidence. He claimed that the companies breached Texas laws on deceptive trade practices and fraudulent transfers. Trump had previously stated that acetaminophen could heighten the risk of autism, prompting the FDA to consider updating labels on acetaminophen products. Health Canada contradicted Trump’s assertions, emphasizing that Tylenol is safe for fever and pain management during pregnancy. Multiple private lawsuits have been filed by families alleging that Tylenol use during pregnancy led to autism or ADHD in their children. Johnson & Johnson is also contending with lawsuits from over 73,000 plaintiffs who claim that their talc products caused cancer.
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