Texas Sues J&J, Kenvue Over Tylenol Marketing

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, alleging they deceptively marketed Tylenol as safe for pregnant people and concealed research tying prenatal acetaminophen exposure to higher risks of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. Paxton says the companies attempted to evade liability by shifting responsibilities to Kenvue after J&J’s spinoff and is bringing claims under Texas consumer-protection laws and the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act. He framed the suit as holding “Big Pharma” accountable; critics say the action is politically motivated and tied to Paxton’s Senate bid. The filing comes as the FDA considers new labeling about a possible association between prenatal acetaminophen use and child neurodevelopment, but major medical bodies and many experts say acetaminophen remains the safest option for treating fever and pain during pregnancy when used as directed and that evidence of causality is not established. Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue deny the allegations, say liabilities were properly transferred after the divestment, and say they will vigorously defend against the claims. Public-health experts warn that discouraging recommended use could risk harm from untreated fever or substitution with riskier alternatives.