Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a lawsuit against pharmaceutical giants Johnson & Johnson and its spinoff Kenvue, alleging that they misled consumers about the safety of Tylenol for pregnant women. Filed in Panola County District Court, the lawsuit revolves around contentious claims that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, could be linked to autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The legal action follows a statement from former President Donald Trump, who in September cautioned pregnant women against using acetaminophen. This statement was part of a broader initiative by Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. under the "Make America Healthy Again" campaign, which has been criticized for promoting medical misinformation.

The complaint highlights that approximately 65% of pregnant women in the U.S. use acetaminophen. It references over two dozen epidemiological studies that the plaintiffs argue show a connection to developmental disorders. However, this stance is highly controversial, with many in the scientific community disputing the links. Recent studies, including a large-scale Swedish study involving 2.5 million children, suggest that when accounting for genetic and environmental factors, the risk associated with acetaminophen may be negligible.

In defense, Kenvue has dismissed the claims as "scientifically unfounded," pointing out that a federal judge recently ruled the evidence in similar private lawsuits unreliable and dismissed them. The company insists that acetaminophen remains the safest option for pain relief in pregnant women, a position supported by extensive research and backed by healthcare professionals.

The lawsuit also accuses Johnson & Johnson of fraudulently transferring liabilities related to Tylenol to Kenvue in an effort to shield itself from potential damages. This move came just before a wave of lawsuits began alleging that Tylenol use during pregnancy was linked to autism and ADHD.

Amid these legal battles, the FDA announced in September, under the Trump administration, that it would update warning labels on all acetaminophen products to indicate a "possible association" with neurological conditions in children when taken during pregnancy, while also emphasizing that no causal relationship has been established.

Texas is now seeking civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing debate over the safety of common over-the-counter medications and their use during pregnancy.