Hard Wire

Attorney General Ken Paxton Files Lawsuit Against Tylenol

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In a development that is sure to set off another firestorm in the long-simmering debate over corporate responsibility, parental rights, and public health, the Trump administration—led by President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.—has launched a sweeping new initiative aimed at investigating potential environmental and pharmaceutical contributors to the rise in autism rates. One target in particular has drawn both legal and public scrutiny: Tylenol.


Yes, that Tylenol — the household name, the go-to for headaches, fevers, and general aches for decades. At the center of the storm is acetaminophen, the drug’s active ingredient, and the growing concern over its safety when used during pregnancy. While definitive scientific consensus remains elusive, several studies have raised red flags about a possible correlation between prenatal acetaminophen use and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD in children. Now, the Trump administration has made it official policy to caution against its use by pregnant women — a move praised by some parents and fiercely criticized by major medical associations and media outlets.

But this isn't just a policy pivot. It's now a legal battle.


Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken the unprecedented step of suing Johnson & Johnson—the pharmaceutical giant behind Tylenol—for allegedly failing to warn consumers about the potential dangers of taking the medication during pregnancy. The lawsuit accuses the company of knowingly marketing Tylenol as safe despite what Paxton describes as a “considerable body of evidence” linking prenatal acetaminophen exposure to neurodevelopmental disorders. The suit also targets Kenvue, a Johnson & Johnson spin-off, accusing the parent company of attempting to shield itself from liability by transferring Tylenol-related risks to a separate legal entity.

In language that echoes recent populist efforts to rein in Big Pharma, Paxton wrote: “Big Pharma betrayed America by profiting off of pain and pushing pills regardless of the risks… By holding Big Pharma accountable for poisoning our people, we will help Make America Healthy Again.”


And while this lawsuit may be the first of its kind from a state, it’s unlikely to be the last. Many are drawing parallels to Johnson & Johnson’s previous legal troubles—most notably its baby powder product containing talc, which resulted in a $700 million settlement. Paxton is clearly positioning his office as a force of accountability in a system that, for too long, critics say has prioritized profit over transparency.

Still, the response from the broader medical establishment has been swift and predictable: caution, skepticism, and accusations of politicization. Health professionals warn that the administration’s guidance could create fear and confusion among pregnant women, many of whom rely on acetaminophen to manage pain and fever when other medications are deemed unsafe. And yet, in this climate, safety concerns cannot simply be brushed aside with blanket reassurances.


Indeed, Tylenol’s own social media footprint isn’t helping matters. A 2017 post resurfaced in the wake of the administration’s announcement, noting that Tylenol itself does not recommend its use during pregnancy without consulting a healthcare provider — a quiet warning that now feels more like legal hedging than prudent advice.

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