Texas Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Tylenol Makers Over Pregnancy Risk Claims

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and its spin-off Kenvue, accusing them of deceptively marketing Tylenol to pregnant women despite allegedly knowing that acetaminophen, Tylenol's active ingredient, increases the risk of autism and ADHD in children. This lawsuit is the first state-level legal action following President Donald Trump's public warnings about the potential neurodevelopmental risks associated with prenatal acetaminophen exposure. Paxton claims that the companies violated Texas consumer protection laws by hiding these dangers and profiting at the expense of public health. While some studies suggest a correlation, health experts and agencies like the FDA maintain there is no confirmed causation between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism, highlighting ongoing controversy and public uncertainty. Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue have responded by denying these allegations and expressing concern over misinformation regarding acetaminophen's safety. This legal and public relations battle underscores the broader tension between emerging scientific claims, regulatory positions, and pharmaceutical marketing practices.