Texas Attorney General Takes Legal Action Against Tylenol Manufacturers Regarding Autism Allegations
Texas Attorney General Paxton is filing a lawsuit against the makers of acetaminophen, asserting the firms concealed safety concerns that the pain reliever created to pediatric cognitive development.
The lawsuit follows four weeks after President Donald Trump promoted an unsubstantiated connection between using Tylenol - alternatively called acetaminophen - throughout gestation and autism spectrum disorder in young ones.
The attorney general is taking legal action against the pharmaceutical giant, which previously sold the medication, the exclusive pain medication recommended for women during pregnancy, and the current manufacturer, which now manufacturers it.
In a official comment, he stated they "betrayed America by profiting off of suffering and promoting medication regardless of the dangers."
The manufacturer states there is no credible evidence tying acetaminophen to autism.
"These companies misled for generations, deliberately risking countless individuals to increase profits," the attorney general, a Republican, stated.
The manufacturer commented that it was "very worried by the perpetuation of misinformation on the security of paracetamol and the possible consequences that could have on the health of US mothers and children."
On its official site, Kenvue also said it had "continuously evaluated the applicable studies and there is insufficient valid information that demonstrates a proven link between taking paracetamol and autism."
Organizations speaking for doctors and healthcare providers agree.
The leading OB-GYN organization has declared acetaminophen - the main ingredient in Tylenol - is a restricted selection for expectant mothers to treat discomfort and fever, which can create serious health risks if ignored.
"In more than two decades of research on the consumption of paracetamol in gestation, zero credible investigations has definitively established that the use of acetaminophen in any stage of pregnancy leads to neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring," the organization said.
The court filing cites recent announcements from the Trump administration in arguing the drug is potentially dangerous.
Last month, the former president caused concern from health experts when he instructed expectant mothers to "resist strongly" not to take acetaminophen when unwell.
The FDA then released a statement that medical professionals should consider limiting the consumption of Tylenol, while also declaring that "a direct connection" between the medication and autism spectrum disorder in minors has remains unverified.
Health Secretary RFK Jr, who oversees the FDA, had promised in spring to initiate "extensive scientific investigation" that would establish the cause of autism spectrum disorder in a limited time.
But authorities advised that identifying a sole reason of autism - believed by scientists to be the result of a intricate combination of genetic and surrounding conditions - would not be simple.
Autism is a type of enduring cognitive variation and condition that affects how persons experience and relate to the environment, and is diagnosed using doctors' observations.
In his lawsuit, Paxton - aligned with the former president who is campaigning for the Senate - claims the manufacturer and J&J "deliberately disregarded and tried to quiet the evidence" around acetaminophen and autism spectrum disorder.
The lawsuit aims to force the companies "remove any commercial messaging" that asserts Tylenol is safe for pregnant women.
The court case mirrors the concerns of a assembly of mothers and fathers of young ones with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who took legal action against the makers of Tylenol in 2022.
The court threw out the legal action, stating research from the family's specialists was lacking definitive proof.