Texas Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Tylenol Producers Regarding Autism Allegations
The top legal official in Texas Ken Paxton is taking legal action against the makers of acetaminophen, claiming the corporations concealed safety concerns that the pain reliever created to pediatric cognitive development.
This legal action arrives thirty days after Donald Trump advocated an unverified association between taking acetaminophen - referred to as acetaminophen - during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder in children.
The attorney general is filing suit against J&J, which once produced the medication, the only pain reliever recommended for women during pregnancy, and Kenvue, which presently makes it.
In a statement, he said they "misled consumers by making money from discomfort and marketing drugs ignoring the risks."
Kenvue states there is insufficient reliable data connecting acetaminophen to autism spectrum disorder.
"These companies lied for decades, intentionally threatening millions to increase profits," the attorney general, a Republican, said.
The manufacturer said in a statement that it was "very worried by the dissemination of inaccurate information on the reliability of acetaminophen and the possible consequences that could have on the welfare of women and children in America."
On its official site, Kenvue also mentioned it had "continuously evaluated the relevant science and there is no credible data that shows a proven link between consuming paracetamol and autism."
Groups speaking for doctors and health professionals share this view.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has declared paracetamol - the key substance in Tylenol - is one of the few options for women during pregnancy to treat discomfort and elevated temperature, which can create serious health risks if ignored.
"In multiple decades of investigation on the consumption of acetaminophen in pregnancy, no reliable research has conclusively proven that the consumption of paracetamol in any period of gestation leads to brain development issues in young ones," the association said.
The court filing references latest statements from the former administration in arguing the drug is reportedly hazardous.
Last month, Trump caused concern from medical authorities when he told expectant mothers to "fight like hell" not to consume Tylenol when ill.
Federal regulators then issued a notice that physicians should consider limiting the consumption of acetaminophen, while also declaring that "a proven link" between the medication and autism in children has not been proven.
The Health Department head RFK Jr, who manages the FDA, had pledged in spring to initiate "comprehensive study program" that would identify the origin of autism in a limited time.
But authorities cautioned that discovering a unique factor of autism spectrum disorder - considered by experts to be the result of a complex mix of genetic and surrounding conditions - would not be simple.
Autism spectrum disorder is a category of lifelong neurodivergence and condition that impacts how persons encounter and engage with the environment, and is diagnosed using doctors' observations.
In his lawsuit, Paxton - aligned with the former president who is campaigning for US Senate - claims the manufacturer and Johnson & Johnson "intentionally overlooked and sought to suppress the research" around acetaminophen and autism.
This legal action attempts to require the corporations "destroy any marketing or advertising" that states Tylenol is secure for expectant mothers.
This legal action parallels the grievances of a collection of guardians of young ones with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD who filed suit against the makers of acetaminophen in two years ago.
Judicial authorities threw out the case, stating research from the parents' expert witnesses was inconclusive.