Texas Sues Tylenol Makers J&J, Kenvue Over Alleged Autism Risk Concealment

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a lawsuit against Tylenol manufacturers Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue. The accusations center on alleged concealment of the drug’s links to autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This legal move follows public statements made by former President Donald Trump, which suggested that using Tylenol during pregnancy could lead to autism.

Background Information

Tylenol, known generically as acetaminophen, has been a widely recommended pain reliever for pregnant women for over 60 years. Despite this longstanding endorsement from medical professionals, the lawsuit raises questions about its safety. Kenvue, which began selling Tylenol after being spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023, maintains that acetaminophen is safe for use during pregnancy.

Legal Allegations

Paxton filed the complaint in the Panola County state court, a region where Trump received 83% of the vote in the 2024 presidential election. He claims that the federal government has recently confirmed links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and a higher risk of autism and ADHD. Paxton argues that Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue failed to warn women about these risks, potentially violating Texas laws on deceptive trade practices.

• Company Responsibilities: Johnson & Johnson stated that Kenvue is liable for all issues related to Tylenol sales.
• Stock Market Reaction: Kenvue shares dropped by 3.8%, closing at $14.51, while Johnson & Johnson shares fell by 1.8% to $186.93.
• Recent Trends: Shares of Kenvue have plummeted over 20% since Trump’s statements on Tylenol and autism on September 22, with a significant drop on that day.

Statements from Companies

Kenvue has expressed its commitment to defending the safety and efficacy of Tylenol, emphasizing that it is the safest option for managing pain during pregnancy. The company has also expressed concerns about misinformation regarding acetaminophen’s safety.

FDA’s Position on Acetaminophen

In light of emerging concerns, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans to introduce new warning labels for acetaminophen products to better reflect potential risks related to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Ongoing Legal Challenges

This lawsuit is not the only legal challenge facing these companies. Johnson & Johnson is also dealing with over 73,000 lawsuits from individuals claiming that their use of talcum powder products resulted in cancer diagnoses. Previous attempts by the company to resolve these cases through bankruptcy have been denied by federal courts.

Future Outlook

The conversation around Tylenol and its potential links to autism continues to evolve. As legal proceedings unfold, families affected by alleged drug-related issues are closely monitoring the developments. The families’ appeals concerning dismissed cases are set to be reviewed in federal court on November 17 over the claims of autism and ADHD linked to prenatal acetaminophen use.