Texas Sues Tylenol Makers Over Autism Allegations

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against multinational pharmaceutical Johnson & Johnson and Kevue, accusing the companies of deceptively marketing Tylenol to pregnant women, despite allegations that linked its use to an increased risk of autism.  

Filed Monday in the District Court of Panola County, the lawsuit alleges the companies violated Texas’ Deceptive Trade Practices Act by promoting Tylenol as “the only safe painkiller for pregnant women” while concealing risks to unborn children and young children. It seeks civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation and requests that the companies destroy marketing materials suggesting the drug’s safety for pregnant women.

“Big Pharma betrayed America by profiting off of pain and pushing pills regardless of the risks,” Paxton said in a statement on Tuesday. “By holding Big Pharma accountable for poisoning our people, we will help Make America Healthy Again.”

Johnson & Johnson, which sold Tylenol for decades before spinning off its consumer health division in 2023, said it no longer holds liability for the product. “All rights and liabilities associated with the sale of its over-the-counter products, including Tylenol (acetaminophen), are owned by Kenvue,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Kenvue rejected the allegations. The company said in a statement it is “deeply concerned by the perpetuation of misinformation on the safety of acetaminophen and the potential impact that could have on the health of American women and children” and added, “We stand firmly with the global medical community that acknowledges the safety of acetaminophen and believe we will continue to be successful in litigation as these claims lack legal merit and scientific support.”

The lawsuit follows public statements last month by President Donald Trump linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, claims widely disputed by medical experts. 

Major health organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, continue to endorse acetaminophen as a safe and essential option for pregnant patients.

“Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible,” said Dr. Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said in a statement in September. “Acetaminophen is one of the few options available to pregnant patients to treat pain and fever, which can be harmful to pregnant people when left untreated.”