Texas Sues Johnson & Johnson Over Tylenol Autism Warning
Tylenol pain relief products are shown on a store shelf in Carmel, Indiana, on Sept. 23. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, alleging the company failed to warn consumers about the potential risks of taking Tylenol during pregnancy. This marks the first time a state government has taken legal action on the issue, following new federal guidance cautioning pregnant women about possible links between acetaminophen use and autism, according to the Texas Tribune.
The guidance was announced by President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., prompting debate among medical experts and leaving many expectant mothers uncertain about how to manage pain safely during pregnancy.
While the scientific community remains divided, some studies have suggested a potential connection between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and autism, while others—particularly those comparing siblings—have found no evidence of a causal link. Major medical groups have pushed back against the warnings, arguing that untreated pain or fever during pregnancy can pose greater risks to both mother and baby than the medication itself.
Despite the scientific uncertainty, lawsuits from families claiming harm from prenatal Tylenol use have surged and are now consolidated in federal court. Paxton’s lawsuit, supported by attorney Ashley Keller, accuses Johnson & Johnson and its consumer health spin-off, Kenvue—which has sold Tylenol since 2023—of concealing key evidence and misleading consumers. The complaint also alleges that Kenvue was created to protect Johnson & Johnson’s assets from liability, though it offers no direct proof of that claim, according to the New York Times.
Filed under Texas consumer protection laws, the case will hinge on different legal standards than typical personal injury claims. Kenvue has maintained that “independent, sound science” shows no link between Tylenol and autism and warned that the lawsuit could cause confusion and health risks for pregnant women.
Paxton, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat, described the lawsuit as part of his broader mission to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable and ensure transparency in public health.
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