When we take over-the-counter medication, we assume that it is safe to use as directed. Following the instructions provided on the package should be enough to avoid any unwanted consequences while enjoying the benefits that the given medication is supposed to provide.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, medications that are meant to help heal can actually do harm, and it’s important that the companies behind those medications are held responsible for their actions and the damage that has been done as a result.
It’s against that background that we can discuss the matter of Tylenol® and its potential link to autism spectrum disorder. (ASD) Considering the widespread use of Tylenol® and its reputation among the public as being generally safe to use, attention should be paid to what studies have actually shown linking this over-the-counter medication to ASD.
What is Tylenol®?
The brand name Tylenol® is perhaps the most popular form of acetaminophen (the generic drug) on the market today. Acetaminophen is used in a range of drugs and its primary purpose is to reduce pain. While you can buy a drug like Tylenol® or a generic alternative over-the-counter without a prescription, doctors will often suggest this type of medication to patients who are dealing with any number of different ailments.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
The formal name for what is commonly called autism is autism spectrum disorder. It can be difficult for people outside of the medical or mental health profession to understand what autism is and what it means, because symptoms vary from one person to the next. It’s generally not possible to identify a person with ASD simply by how they look, and the severity of the disorder can vary wildly.
ASD can take some time to diagnose, but early intervention is important.
While this disability starts early in life – before age three – it will sometimes not be identified accurately until later on. Also, it can be hard to spot in very young children, as they haven’t yet developed to the point where there is an obvious delay. It takes the close eye of a caregiver to seek an early ASD diagnosis.
Scientific research suggests the causes of ASD are complex and varied, but involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
There are thought to be many possible causes of ASD, some of which are not yet well understood by the scientific community. At a basic level, there are differences in the brain which prevent affected individuals from developing in certain ways. Currently, there is no cure for autism. However, while there are no medications on the market to directly address symptoms, it might be possible to use medications to manage some of the symptoms that stem from this disorder.
Parents and Providers for people with autism spectrum disorder should know what research says about the connections between autism and prenatal use of acetaminophen products like Tylenol®.
For the parents or guardians of a young person exhibiting some signs of autism, early detection and treatment should be a top priority. Working with a qualified healthcare provider to evaluate behaviors and potential development delays is going to be in the best interest of the child in the long run. In the case of a diagnosis, treatment can begin quickly and will potentially be able to correct some problematic behaviors and help the individual develop in areas that have been challenging.
Concerning Research Findings
In recent years, there has been troubling research starting to appear with regard to a potential link between the use of Tylenol® by pregnant women and the prevalence of ASD in their children. There have been studies that have shown a possible connection between the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and the brain development of the then-unborn child. This is particularly concerning because acetaminophen tends to be seen as a milder alternative to NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), including aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and others, for the treatment of pain, and thus, safe for pregnant women to use.
“We have sufficient data from multiple populations and studies to say that acetaminophen is not as safe as it is considered.” 1
Pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen products like Tylenol®. 2
For women who are currently pregnant or who may become pregnant in the future, it’s important to speak directly with a doctor about the use of Tylenol® or a generic alternative while carrying a baby. If it is not medically necessary to use this type of medication during pregnancy, it may be better to avoid it altogether. In addition to the possible connection to ASD, there have been findings that also pointed to an increased likelihood of developing ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Note: Acetaminophen products like Tylenol® may not be the cause of autism or other developmental disorders like ADHD in a particular person. |
But multiple studies suggest that taking acetaminophen products like Tylenol® and Paracetamol while pregnant can affect a child’s brain development.3 4 |
It should be noted here that these issues are not limited to acetaminophen products sold under the Tylenol® brand name. There are many other medications on the market that include acetaminophen as an active ingredient, including many generic, “store brand” versions of popular drugs. A pregnant woman who used any of these products regularly while carrying her child who later received an autism diagnosis should consider the possibility that those drugs played a direct role.
Valuing a Personal Injury Case
When a business takes an action that harms an individual or a group of individuals, a personal injury case may be the appropriate response. There are a couple of tricky things about filing a personal injury case, although that shouldn’t stop victims from pursuing the damages to which they are entitled. The first challenge is proving that the other party was negligent in causing the harm for which damages are being sought. Gathering and presenting as much evidence as possible to strengthen the case is something that a mass tort attorney will handle during the process.
Courts try to put compensation numbers on both economic and non-economic injuries.
Beyond making a strong argument, there is also the matter of determining how much a case is worth. Sometimes, in cases like a car accident, valuing the damages that should be awarded in the case can be relatively straightforward. Things get a lot more complicated when the victim faces something like having a child with a developmental disorder, as this is a harm that will affect that person for the rest of their life. Medical expenses are a standard starting point, but damages for pain and suffering, as well as emotional distress, may also be available. It usually requires the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer to make an accurate estimate as to the potential value of a case.
Acetaminophen autism lawsuits that are currently in front of judges may be joined with lawsuits by others similarly injured.
Ultimately, the people injured may be compensated as part of a large settlement by the makers and sellers of acetaminophen-containing products like Tylenol®.
It is difficult to determine whether filing a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson would result in a court battle or proposed settlement. However, anyone who would like to be involved in a potential settlement should file a claim before any time restrictions or legal barriers (like statutes of limitation) prevent a claimant from collecting compensation. To demonstrate what could potentially be Johnson & Johnson’s response, plaintiffs seeking damages for its talcum powder (and the talc’s connection to asbestos) were recently unsuccessful in preventing the company from potentially offloading this part of its business into a new entity shielded by bankruptcy protection. This is why it’s important to move quickly and seek the help of a mass torts attorney with pharmaceutical experience right away.
When it comes to autism spectrum disorder, diagnosing and treating it as soon as possible in the life of a young person is critical. Getting treatment early on can make a huge difference years down the line, so there is no time to waste on this matter. Also, given the potential connection between Tylenol® and developmental disorders, it might be worth reaching out to an attorney to pursue legal options against Johnson & Johnson. The team at Justinian & Associates can answer any questions you might have and successfully guide you through the process.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that if your child has symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, you should contact a healthcare professional to have your child screened for ASD.
- Info about screening for ASD is available on the CDC Website.
- There is no cure for ASD, but there are autism therapies that can greatly help a child’s development.
Taking Tylenol® (Acetaminophen / Paracetamol) while pregnant can affect the child’s brain development. 5 6
“We have sufficient data from multiple populations and studies to say that acetaminophen is not as safe as it is considered.” 7
Prenatal acetaminophen consumption has been connected to:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Language delay (in girls)
- Decreased Intelligence Quotient (IQ).8
We Are Warriors For The Injured
Our only goal is justice for our clients, whatever that means for them.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) attributable to acetaminophen taken during pregnancy, now is the time to seek legal assistance.
You need experienced attorneys on your side.
Our Texas and San Antonio mass tort lawyers have successfully represented dozens of victims injured by dangerous pharmaceuticals and other hazardous substances. That’s exactly why we were founded.
The legal team at Justinian and Associates has years of experience dealing with personal injury cases involving health conditions like ASD, and medications that are far more dangerous than represented by the companies selling them.
We have the knowledge, experience, resources and trained investigators to take on large adversaries like billion dollar manufacturing companies.
All we do is fight for injured victims. And we do not accept defeat.
Unless we get you money for your injuries, you don’t pay us a dime.
Call, text or email us for a free consultation, with no obligation.
Speak to a Texas personal injury attorney from Justinian & Associates (not a “screener” or paralegal) to understand your rights.
Scientific Citation: Parker W, Hornik CD, Bilbo S, Holzknecht ZE, Gentry L, Rao R, Lin SS, Herbert MR, Nevison CD. The role of oxidative stress, inflammation and acetaminophen exposure from birth to early childhood in the induction of autism. J Int Med Res. 2017 Apr;45(2):407-438. doi: 10.1177/0300060517693423. Epub 2017 Mar 16. PMID: 28415925; PMCID: PMC5536672.
[1] A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve, interpreting data from Parker SE, Collett BR, Werler MM: Maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood behavioural problems: Discrepancies between mother- and teacher-reported outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2020, 34:299-308. 10.1111/ppe.12601).
[2] A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve, interpreting data from Parker SE, Collett BR, Werler MM: Maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood behavioural problems: Discrepancies between mother- and teacher-reported outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2020, 34:299-308. 10.1111/ppe.12601).
[3] A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve, interpreting data from Parker SE, Collett BR, Werler MM: Maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood behavioural problems: Discrepancies between mother- and teacher-reported outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2020, 34:299-308. 10.1111/ppe.12601).
[4] Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action, Bauer, A.Z., Swan, S.H., Kriebel, D., Liew, Z., Taylor, H.S., Bornehag, C.G., Andrade, A.M., Olsen, J., Jensen, R.H., Mitchell, R.T. and Skakkebaek, N.E., 2021. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 17(12), pp.757-766.
[5] A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve, interpreting data from Parker SE, Collett BR, Werler MM: Maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood behavioural problems: Discrepancies between mother- and teacher-reported outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2020, 34:299-308. 10.1111/ppe.12601).
[6] Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action, Bauer, A.Z., Swan, S.H., Kriebel, D., Liew, Z., Taylor, H.S., Bornehag, C.G., Andrade, A.M., Olsen, J., Jensen, R.H., Mitchell, R.T. and Skakkebaek, N.E., 2021. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 17(12), pp.757-766.
[7] A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve, interpreting data from Parker SE, Collett BR, Werler MM: Maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood behavioural problems: Discrepancies between mother- and teacher-reported outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2020, 34:299-308. 10.1111/ppe.12601).
[8] Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action, Bauer, A.Z., Swan, S.H., Kriebel, D., Liew, Z., Taylor, H.S., Bornehag, C.G., Andrade, A.M., Olsen, J., Jensen, R.H., Mitchell, R.T. and Skakkebaek, N.E., 2021. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 17(12), pp.757-766.