The State of Texas Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Tylenol Producers Regarding Autism Spectrum Allegations
Texas Attorney General Paxton is taking legal action against the producers of acetaminophen, claiming the companies concealed alleged dangers that the drug presented to pediatric neurological development.
The lawsuit follows a month after President Donald Trump publicized an unsubstantiated connection between consuming acetaminophen - alternatively called acetaminophen - throughout gestation and autism in young ones.
The attorney general is filing suit against Johnson & Johnson, which once produced the medication, the sole analgesic approved for women during pregnancy, and Kenvue, which presently makes it.
In a statement, he claimed they "betrayed America by profiting off of discomfort and promoting medication ignoring the dangers."
Kenvue says there is no credible evidence tying Tylenol to autism.
"These companies lied for decades, deliberately risking millions to increase profits," Paxton, a Republican, stated.
Kenvue commented that it was "seriously troubled by the spread of false claims on the security of paracetamol and the likely effects that could have on the health of women and children in America."
On its website, Kenvue also stated it had "continuously evaluated the pertinent research and there is no credible data that demonstrates a proven link between taking acetaminophen and autism spectrum disorder."
Associations representing medical professionals and health professionals share this view.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has stated acetaminophen - the primary component in Tylenol - is a restricted selection for expectant mothers to treat pain and elevated temperature, which can pose significant medical dangers if ignored.
"In more than two decades of research on the use of paracetamol in pregnancy, not a single reputable study has conclusively proven that the use of paracetamol in any trimester of pregnancy results in brain development issues in offspring," the association stated.
This legal action mentions latest statements from the former administration in arguing the medication is allegedly unsafe.
Last month, Trump caused concern from health experts when he instructed expectant mothers to "fight like hell" not to use Tylenol when sick.
The FDA then issued a notice that medical professionals should think about restricting the use of Tylenol, while also stating that "a direct connection" between the medication and autism in young ones has not been established.
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, who supervises the FDA, had promised in April to undertake "comprehensive study program" that would establish the origin of autism spectrum disorder in a short period.
But authorities cautioned that discovering a single cause of autism spectrum disorder - considered by experts to be the outcome of a complicated interplay of inherited and external influences - would be difficult.
Autism spectrum disorder is a type of permanent neurological difference and impairment that impacts how persons perceive and relate to the world, and is diagnosed using medical professional evaluations.
In his lawsuit, Paxton - who supports Trump who is seeking the Senate - asserts Kenvue and J&J "intentionally overlooked and attempted to silence the evidence" around paracetamol and autism.
This legal action attempts to require the companies "remove any commercial messaging" that states Tylenol is reliable for women during pregnancy.
The Texas lawsuit mirrors the complaints of a collection of mothers and fathers of minors with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who sued the makers of Tylenol in recently.
Judicial authorities threw out the legal action, saying investigations from the parents' expert witnesses was lacking definitive proof.