Ken Paxton sues drug makers over 'deceptively marketing Tylenol to pregnant mothers' despite possible risk of autism

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing pharmaceutical manufacturers that have been selling and "deceptively marketing" Tylenol to pregnant mothers despite potential dangers to unborn children stemming from the drug. 

A press release from the Texas Attorney General's office stated that Paxton is suing Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue for "deceptively marketing Tylenol to pregnant mothers despite knowing that early exposure to acetaminophen, Tylenol’s only active ingredient, leads to a significantly increased risk of autism and other disorders." This comes on the heels of Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy, Jr. and the Trump administration announcing that there may be a higher risk for autism in children if exposed to acetaminophen while they are in utero.

“Big Pharma betrayed America by profiting off of pain and pushing pills regardless of the risks. These corporations lied for decades, knowingly endangering millions to line their pockets,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Additionally, seeing that the day of reckoning was coming, Johnson & Johnson attempted to escape responsibility by illegally offloading their liability onto a different company. By holding Big Pharma accountable for poisoning our people, we will help Make America Healthy Again.”

The lawsuit states that the two companies "knew that acetaminophen—Tylenol's active ingredient—is dangerous to unborn children and young children" for decades, "yet they hid this danger and deceptively marketed Tylenol as the only safe painkiller for pregnant women, violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act."

The lawsuit further alleges that the pharmaceutical companies "have shunned this duty and willfully ignored the science that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen can cause ASD and ADHD in children."

"The labels for Tylenol products contain no warning that there is any sort of risk of ASD or ADHD if a woman ingests the drug while pregnant or if young children take the drug. Pregnant women have purchased and taken Tylenol products based on the understanding that these products posed no risk to their unborn children," the lawsuit added.

Kenvue responded to the lawsuit, "Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy. We are deeply concerned by the perpetuation of misinformation on the safety of acetaminophen."

Johnson & Johnson said in a separate statement that Kenvue is responsible for "all rights and liabilities associated with the sale of its over-the-counter products, including Tylenol."