Texas Top Legal Officer Takes Legal Action Against Tylenol Producers Regarding Autism Spectrum Claims
The top legal official in Texas Ken Paxton is suing the makers of Tylenol, claiming the companies concealed alleged dangers that the drug posed to pediatric cognitive development.
The lawsuit comes four weeks after Former President Trump advocated an unproven link between using acetaminophen - also known as paracetamol - during pregnancy and autism in young ones.
Paxton is filing suit against J&J, which previously sold the drug, the only pain reliever approved for pregnant women, and the current manufacturer, which presently makes it.
In a declaration, he claimed they "betrayed America by gaining financially from pain and pushing pills regardless of the risks."
The manufacturer says there is no credible evidence linking Tylenol to autism.
"These corporations lied for decades, deliberately risking countless individuals to increase profits," Paxton, from the Republican party, declared.
The manufacturer said in a statement that it was "very worried by the perpetuation of misinformation on the safety of paracetamol and the likely effects that could have on the welfare of American women and children."
On its official site, Kenvue also stated it had "continuously evaluated the applicable studies and there is lacking reliable evidence that demonstrates a proven link between consuming paracetamol and autism spectrum disorder."
Organizations representing doctors and medical practitioners share this view.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has stated paracetamol - the key substance in acetaminophen - is among limited choices for women during pregnancy to manage pain and fever, which can present serious health risks if left untreated.
"In more than two decades of research on the use of paracetamol in gestation, not a single reputable study has successfully concluded that the consumption of paracetamol in any period of pregnancy causes brain development issues in children," the organization commented.
The lawsuit cites current declarations from the previous government in asserting the drug is allegedly unsafe.
Last month, the former president caused concern from medical authorities when he told expectant mothers to "struggle intensely" not to use acetaminophen when unwell.
The US Food and Drug Administration then published an announcement that doctors should consider limiting the usage of acetaminophen, while also mentioning that "a direct connection" between the drug and autism in young ones has not been proven.
Health Secretary RFK Jr, who supervises the Food and Drug Administration, had promised in spring to initiate "extensive scientific investigation" that would establish the cause of autism spectrum disorder in a limited time.
But specialists warned that finding a unique factor of autism spectrum disorder - considered by experts to be the outcome of a complex mix of genetic and surrounding conditions - would be difficult.
Autism is a type of enduring cognitive variation and disability that influences how individuals perceive and relate to the world, and is identified using medical professional evaluations.
In his legal document, Paxton - a Trump ally who is running for US Senate - claims the manufacturer and J&J "intentionally overlooked and tried to quiet the research" around paracetamol and autism.
This legal action attempts to require the firms "remove any promotional materials" that states Tylenol is secure for women during pregnancy.
The court case parallels the complaints of a collection of mothers and fathers of young ones with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who took legal action against the makers of Tylenol in 2022.
Judicial authorities dismissed the lawsuit, saying research from the plaintiffs' authorities was lacking definitive proof.