The State of Texas Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Tylenol Manufacturers Regarding Autism Allegations
Texas Attorney General Paxton is filing a lawsuit against the manufacturers of Tylenol, asserting the corporations concealed potential risks that the drug posed to pediatric neurological development.
The lawsuit arrives thirty days after Donald Trump promoted an unsubstantiated connection between using acetaminophen - referred to as acetaminophen - during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder in young ones.
Paxton is taking legal action against Johnson & Johnson, which formerly manufactured the drug, the exclusive pain medication approved for expectant mothers, and Kenvue, which presently makes it.
In a official comment, he said they "misled consumers by making money from suffering and promoting medication regardless of the dangers."
The company says there is no credible evidence tying Tylenol to autism spectrum disorder.
"These corporations deceived for years, knowingly endangering millions to increase profits," the attorney general, a Republican, said.
Kenvue commented that it was "deeply concerned by the spread of false claims on the safety of acetaminophen and the likely effects that could have on the welfare of US mothers and children."
On its online platform, the company also said it had "continuously evaluated the pertinent research and there is insufficient valid information that demonstrates a proven link between using acetaminophen and autism spectrum disorder."
Associations speaking for medical professionals and healthcare providers agree.
ACOG has declared paracetamol - the primary component in acetaminophen - is one of the few options for women during pregnancy to manage pain and elevated temperature, which can pose significant medical dangers if not addressed.
"In more than two decades of investigation on the consumption of acetaminophen in pregnancy, zero credible investigations has successfully concluded that the use of paracetamol in any period of pregnancy leads to neurological conditions in offspring," the association commented.
This legal action references latest statements from the Trump administration in claiming the drug is potentially dangerous.
Last month, the former president generated worry from public health officials when he advised women during pregnancy to "struggle intensely" not to take Tylenol when sick.
Federal regulators then published an announcement that physicians should think about restricting the consumption of acetaminophen, while also mentioning that "a direct connection" between the medication and autism in minors has not been established.
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, who manages the FDA, had pledged in spring to undertake "extensive scientific investigation" that would determine the cause of autism spectrum disorder in a limited time.
But authorities warned that finding a single cause of autism - believed by scientists to be the consequence of a intricate combination of inherited and external influences - would be difficult.
Autism is a type of lifelong neurodivergence and condition that impacts how individuals perceive and relate to the surroundings, and is identified using medical professional evaluations.
In his court filing, the attorney general - aligned with the former president who is seeking the Senate - claims the manufacturer and J&J "deliberately disregarded and attempted to silence the science" around acetaminophen and autism spectrum disorder.
The case aims to force the firms "eliminate any marketing or advertising" that asserts Tylenol is safe for expectant mothers.
This legal action parallels the complaints of a group of mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who sued the producers of Tylenol in two years ago.
The court threw out the lawsuit, declaring research from the plaintiffs' authorities was lacking definitive proof.