The State of Texas Top Legal Officer Files Lawsuit Against Tylenol Makers Over Autism Spectrum Allegations
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking legal action against the producers of Tylenol, asserting the firms concealed alleged dangers that the pain reliever posed to children's neurological development.
This legal action arrives a month after Former President Trump promoted an unverified association between consuming acetaminophen - referred to as acetaminophen - during pregnancy and autism in children.
Paxton is filing suit against J&J, which previously sold the drug, the only pain reliever suggested for expectant mothers, and the current manufacturer, which presently makes it.
In a statement, he claimed they "misled consumers by gaining financially from suffering and pushing pills regardless of the potential hazards."
The manufacturer says there is lacking scientific proof connecting acetaminophen to autism spectrum disorder.
"These companies deceived for years, knowingly endangering millions to increase profits," Paxton, from the Republican party, said.
Kenvue commented that it was "seriously troubled by the perpetuation of misinformation on the security of paracetamol and the possible consequences that could have on the well-being of American women and children."
On its website, the company also mentioned it had "continuously evaluated the pertinent research and there is insufficient valid information that demonstrates a proven link between taking paracetamol and autism spectrum disorder."
Associations acting on behalf of doctors and health professionals concur.
The leading OB-GYN organization has said acetaminophen - the primary component in Tylenol - is one of the few options for women during pregnancy to manage pain and elevated temperature, which can create major wellness concerns if left untreated.
"In multiple decades of investigation on the consumption of paracetamol in pregnancy, no reliable research has successfully concluded that the usage of paracetamol in any trimester of gestation results in brain development issues in young ones," the group stated.
The lawsuit references recent announcements from the former administration in claiming the medication is potentially dangerous.
In recent weeks, Trump generated worry from public health officials when he advised women during pregnancy to "fight like hell" not to take acetaminophen when ill.
Federal regulators then issued a notice that doctors should consider limiting the usage of acetaminophen, while also mentioning that "a direct connection" between the medication and autism in children has not been proven.
Health Secretary RFK Jr, who manages the Food and Drug Administration, had vowed in April to conduct "a massive testing and research effort" that would determine the source of autism in a limited time.
But experts warned that discovering a sole reason of autism - thought by researchers to be the consequence of a complex mix of inherited and external influences - would prove challenging.
Autism is a form of permanent neurological difference and impairment that affects how individuals encounter and interact with the world, and is identified using physician assessments.
In his lawsuit, the attorney general - a Trump ally who is campaigning for US Senate - alleges the manufacturer and J&J "intentionally overlooked and tried to quiet the research" around acetaminophen and autism.
This legal action seeks to make the firms "destroy any commercial messaging" that states Tylenol is reliable for pregnant women.
This legal action mirrors the grievances of a collection of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who took legal action against the manufacturers of acetaminophen in recently.
A federal judge threw out the case, declaring research from the parents' expert witnesses was inconclusive.