Texas Attorney General sues Tylenol makers over alleged Autism link

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, the makers of Tylenol, alleging that the companies concealed potential risks the pain reliever posed to children’s brain development when used during pregnancy.

The suit, lodged in a Texas state court, accuses the pharmaceutical giants of “betraying America by profiting off of pain and pushing pills regardless of the risks,” according to a statement from Paxton.

Tylenol, also known as paracetamol or acetaminophen, is one of the most commonly recommended pain relievers for pregnant women. Paxton’s lawsuit claims that Johnson & Johnson — which formerly owned the brand — and Kenvue — its current manufacturer — knowingly downplayed potential links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism or ADHD in children.

The case follows a surge of public debate after former President Donald Trump last month suggested a link between Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism, urging women to “fight like hell” not to take the drug.

In his filing, Paxton — a Trump ally currently running for the U.S. Senate — contends that the companies “willfully ignored and attempted to silence the science.” The lawsuit seeks to compel them to withdraw all marketing or advertising that presents Tylenol as safe for use during pregnancy.

Kenvue, in a statement, rejected the allegations and said it was “deeply concerned by the perpetuation of misinformation on the safety of acetaminophen.” The company insisted there is no credible evidence linking the drug to autism and that it has “continuously evaluated the relevant science.”

Johnson & Johnson, which sold its consumer health division to Kenvue in 2023, has not yet commented publicly on the lawsuit.