The State of Texas Top Legal Officer Files Lawsuit Against Tylenol Manufacturers Concerning Autism Allegations
The top legal official in Texas Ken Paxton is filing a lawsuit against the makers of acetaminophen, alleging the companies hid potential risks that the medication posed to children's neurological development.
This legal action comes a month after President Donald Trump advocated an unverified association between taking Tylenol - alternatively called acetaminophen - while pregnant and autism spectrum disorder in young ones.
Paxton is filing suit against the pharmaceutical giant, which once produced the medication, the only pain reliever approved for pregnant women, and Kenvue, which now manufacturers it.
In a statement, he claimed they "misled consumers by gaining financially from discomfort and marketing drugs regardless of the potential hazards."
The manufacturer asserts there is insufficient reliable data connecting Tylenol to autism spectrum disorder.
"These companies misled for generations, deliberately risking numerous people to boost earnings," Paxton, from the Republican party, stated.
Kenvue said in a statement that it was "seriously troubled by the perpetuation of misinformation on the reliability of acetaminophen and the potential impact that could have on the health of women and children in America."
On its official site, the company also stated it had "consistently assessed the pertinent research and there is insufficient valid information that demonstrates a verified association between using paracetamol and autism."
Organizations representing medical professionals and healthcare providers agree.
The leading OB-GYN organization has declared paracetamol - the key substance in acetaminophen - is among limited choices for women during pregnancy to address discomfort and fever, which can present major wellness concerns if left untreated.
"In multiple decades of research on the consumption of paracetamol in pregnancy, zero credible investigations has conclusively proven that the use of paracetamol in any period of pregnancy leads to brain development issues in children," the organization stated.
The lawsuit cites latest statements from the Trump administration in claiming the drug is reportedly hazardous.
Recently, the former president raised alarms from public health officials when he told pregnant women to "resist strongly" not to consume acetaminophen when sick.
The US Food and Drug Administration then published an announcement that doctors should think about restricting the consumption of Tylenol, while also stating that "a proven link" between the medication and autism spectrum disorder in minors has not been established.
The Health Department head RFK Jr, who supervises the Food and Drug Administration, had promised in spring to undertake "comprehensive study program" that would determine the source of autism spectrum disorder in a limited time.
But experts warned that identifying a sole reason of autism spectrum disorder - considered by experts to be the consequence of a complex mix of genetic and external influences - would not be simple.
Autism is a type of lifelong neurodivergence and disability that impacts how people encounter and engage with the world, and is recognized using physician assessments.
In his legal document, Paxton - who supports Trump who is campaigning for US Senate - claims the manufacturer and Johnson & Johnson "willfully ignored and attempted to silence the science" around paracetamol and autism spectrum disorder.
The case seeks to make the firms "remove any commercial messaging" that claims Tylenol is secure for pregnant women.
The court case mirrors the grievances of a group of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who filed suit against the makers of acetaminophen in 2022.
The court rejected the lawsuit, declaring investigations from the family's specialists was lacking definitive proof.