Texas Sues J&J, Kenvue Over Tylenol Autism Risks: “Deceptive Marketing” to Pregnant Moms Sparks $10K+ Penalties
Texas just dropped a legal nuke on Tylenol giants. Attorney General Ken Paxton slammed Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue with a state lawsuit accusing them of deceptively marketing Tylenol as safe for pregnant women—hiding links to autism and ADHD that could cost tens of billions in damages.
Filed October 28 in Panola County District Court, the 49-page complaint blasts the duo for violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Paxton: “Big Pharma lied for decades… poisoning our people.” Demands? Destroy all “safe for pregnancy” ads, $10K civil penalties per violation, and restitution for Texas families.
Tylenol autism lawsuit explodes five weeks after Trump warned pregnant moms: “Fight like hell not to take it.” RFK Jr. updated HHS guidance discouraging acetaminophen use. Paxton’s suit cites “overwhelming evidence” from studies showing prenatal exposure hikes autism and ADHD risks—companies “silenced science.”
Twist: J&J spun off Kenvue in 2023 to “illegally shield assets” from Tylenol lawsuits—mirroring talc cancer scandals. J&J: “All liabilities = Kenvue’s.” Kenvue: “Claims lack merit… Tylenol safest for pregnancy.” Shares tanked: KVUE -2.4%, JNJ -1.6%.
Backdrop: Hundreds of family suits since 2022 claim kids’ autism/ADHD from mom’s Tylenol. Some dismissed; MDL ongoing. CDC: 1 in 31 U.S. kids autistic—300% rise in 20 years. NIH study (2024): No link; ACOG: “Irresponsible” to ditch it—fevers riskier.
X erupts—@LauraLoomer (1.6K likes): “Paxton crushes Big Pharma!” @tracybeanz (4K likes): “J&J liability dodge = talc playbook.” @TimcastNews: 48 likes on Paxton’s strike.
U.S. families reel: 100M+ annual users; Texas moms face “dangerous choices” sans pain relief. $10B+ potential payouts could spike insurance, hit shelves. Paxton (eyeing Senate): “Make America Healthy Again.”
First state salvo in Tylenol autism wars—jury trial looms; more AGs watching. Kenvue vows “vigorous defense.”
By Sam Michael
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