The State of Texas Top Legal Officer Files Lawsuit Against Tylenol Makers Over Autism Assertions

Judicial Action
Ken Paxton, a Trump ally who is running for the United States Senate, claimed the drug companies of concealing potential dangers of acetaminophen

The top legal official in Texas Ken Paxton is filing a lawsuit against the makers of Tylenol, claiming the firms withheld safety concerns that the pain reliever presented to pediatric neurological development.

The court filing comes four weeks after Former President Trump promoted an unverified association between taking acetaminophen - also known as paracetamol - during pregnancy and autism in children.

Paxton is suing J&J, which previously sold the drug, the exclusive pain medication approved for expectant mothers, and the current manufacturer, which currently produces it.

In a official comment, he said they "betrayed America by profiting off of discomfort and promoting medication without regard for the dangers."

The manufacturer states there is insufficient reliable data connecting acetaminophen to autism.

"These companies deceived for years, deliberately risking numerous people to line their pockets," the attorney general, from the Republican party, declared.

Kenvue stated officially that it was "deeply concerned by the spread of false claims on the reliability of acetaminophen and the possible consequences that could have on the well-being of US mothers and children."

On its online platform, Kenvue also stated it had "consistently assessed the pertinent research and there is insufficient valid information that indicates a established connection between using paracetamol and autism spectrum disorder."

Groups speaking for doctors and medical practitioners agree.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has declared acetaminophen - the primary component in Tylenol - is one of the few options for women during pregnancy to address discomfort and elevated temperature, which can present significant medical dangers if ignored.

"In over twenty years of studies on the consumption of paracetamol in pregnancy, no reliable research has successfully concluded that the use of paracetamol in any period of pregnancy leads to neurodevelopmental disorders in young ones," the association commented.

This legal action mentions current declarations from the former administration in arguing the drug is potentially dangerous.

Last month, Trump raised alarms from public health officials when he advised women during pregnancy to "fight like hell" not to take acetaminophen when unwell.

The FDA then issued a notice that physicians should consider limiting the consumption of acetaminophen, while also declaring that "a causal relationship" between the medication and autism in children has not been established.

The Health Department head Kennedy, who oversees the Food and Drug Administration, had vowed in spring to initiate "a massive testing and research effort" that would determine the source of autism in a short period.

But authorities cautioned that identifying a unique factor of autism spectrum disorder - considered by experts to be the consequence of a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors - would prove challenging.

Autism is a category of lifelong neurodivergence and condition that impacts how persons encounter and engage with the surroundings, and is recognized using doctors' observations.

In his lawsuit, the attorney general - aligned with the former president who is campaigning for US Senate - alleges the manufacturer and Johnson & Johnson "intentionally overlooked and sought to suppress the research" around acetaminophen and autism spectrum disorder.

This legal action attempts to require the corporations "eliminate any marketing or advertising" that claims Tylenol is safe for women during pregnancy.

This legal action echoes the grievances of a group of mothers and fathers of young ones with autism and ADHD who sued the producers of acetaminophen in two years ago.

The court dismissed the lawsuit, saying studies from the family's specialists was not conclusive.

Jasmine Johnson
Jasmine Johnson

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