🔗 Share this article

The top legal official in Texas Paxton is filing a lawsuit against the producers of Tylenol, alleging the corporations hid safety concerns that the drug presented to pediatric cognitive development.

The lawsuit comes a month after Donald Trump publicized an unproven link between using acetaminophen - referred to as acetaminophen - during pregnancy and autism in young ones.

Paxton is filing suit against the pharmaceutical giant, which formerly manufactured the drug, the only pain reliever approved for expectant mothers, and the current manufacturer, which currently produces it.

In a declaration, he claimed they "deceived the public by gaining financially from discomfort and promoting medication ignoring the dangers."

The company asserts there is lacking scientific proof linking acetaminophen to autism spectrum disorder.

"These manufacturers deceived for years, knowingly endangering numerous people to increase profits," Paxton, a Republican, said.

The manufacturer said in a statement that it was "very worried by the perpetuation of misinformation on the safety of paracetamol and the potential impact that could have on the welfare of women and children in America."

On its website, Kenvue also said it had "continuously evaluated the relevant science and there is no credible data that demonstrates a verified association between consuming paracetamol and autism."

Associations representing medical professionals and healthcare providers concur.

ACOG has stated acetaminophen - the key substance in Tylenol - is a restricted selection for women during pregnancy to manage pain and elevated temperature, which can create significant medical dangers if left untreated.

"In more than two decades of investigation on the consumption of acetaminophen in pregnancy, zero credible investigations has conclusively proven that the usage of acetaminophen in any period of pregnancy results in neurological conditions in offspring," the association said.

The court filing cites latest statements from the Trump administration in arguing the medication is allegedly unsafe.

Last month, Trump raised alarms from medical authorities when he told pregnant women to "struggle intensely" not to take acetaminophen when sick.

Federal regulators then released a statement that doctors should consider limiting the usage of Tylenol, while also stating that "a causal relationship" between the medication and autism spectrum disorder in children has not been established.

Health Secretary RFK Jr, who supervises the FDA, had vowed in April to undertake "a massive testing and research effort" that would determine the source of autism spectrum disorder in a matter of months.

But experts warned that identifying a unique factor of autism - thought by researchers to be the outcome of a complicated interplay of genetic and surrounding conditions - would be difficult.

Autism is a form of enduring cognitive variation and condition that impacts how people encounter and interact with the surroundings, and is recognized using physician assessments.

In his legal document, the attorney general - who supports Trump who is running for US Senate - claims the manufacturer and Johnson & Johnson "willfully ignored and tried to quiet the research" around paracetamol and autism.

The lawsuit attempts to require the firms "remove any promotional materials" that claims Tylenol is secure for expectant mothers.

The court case parallels the grievances of a group of mothers and fathers of young ones with autism and ADHD who took legal action against the makers of acetaminophen in two years ago.

The court rejected the lawsuit, declaring investigations from the plaintiffs' authorities was inconclusive.