Tylenol® During Pregnancy Autism Lawsuit

Every medication on the market should be safe to use as directed. That applies to both prescription and non-prescription drugs, as it should never be the case where someone is harmed by medicine they took in the pursuit of improved health. This is particularly important in the world of over-the-counter medication, as no doctor’s note is required for a person to obtain and take these types of drugs. With easy access and only basic directions on the package, it’s essential that these products are as safe as possible.

Tylenol may not be as safe for pregnant women as they were told.

Over recent decades, Tylenol® has been one of the leading products in the over-the-counter category. An effective pain reducer, this drug has been used by countless people for generations to deal with various health issues. Using Tylenol® during pregnancy has long been assumed to be safe, but new data indicate that this may not be the case. It’s possible that a link exists between Tylenol® use and developmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If that proves to be true, legal action against Johnson & Johnson – the makers of Tylenol® – may prove successful.

An Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder

While most people are familiar with the word autism and may be roughly familiar with what it means for those affected, ASD is not as well understood by the general public. It is the fact that this developmental disorder exists on a spectrum that makes it harder for some people to grasp what it means and what those with ASD need to thrive.

Autism is a spectrum and symptoms and conditions vary with the individual.

The fact of the matter is that the needs of someone with ASD are going to vary widely from one case to the next. In mild cases, you could know someone for years and never have any idea that they were diagnosed with ASD. Alternatively, more severe cases make it difficult for affected individuals to manage their lives independently, and they may need support throughout the day. It’s important not to attach any stigma or preconceived notions to anyone with ASD, as each case truly is unique.

Watching for symptoms of autism at an early age

It’s typical for ASD to be discovered early in life – often prior to the age of three. The way ASD appears will vary, in keeping with the concept of a wide spectrum, but it often involves difficulty with communication or social interaction. Additionally, repetitive behaviors may be a sign of ASD, although only a formal diagnosis provided by a qualified professional should be taken as confirmation of this disorder.

Assigning Responsibility for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The cause(s) of ASD remain unclear, and there is no available cure. With that said, more and more research is pointing to a connection between the onset of ASD and the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy.¹ If a pregnant woman used Tylenol® or another product with acetaminophen as an active ingredient during her pregnancy, that use may have played a role in the development of autism in the child. Research continues to be performed in this area and it is likely that more information will come to light in the years ahead.

Over a decade of health research has linked acetaminophen and developmental disorders like Autism and ADHD.

As evidence piles up that Tylenol® and other drugs with acetaminophen may be linked to ASD, it’s important that the corporations bringing these drugs to market are held responsible for the harm they may have caused. In the case of Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Tylenol®, the company has a history of bringing products to market that have caused harm and then trying to deflect responsibility for that harm – just think, talc powder.

And the policing of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. has not stopped this from happening. Mass tort litigation may be the only way to get the compensation that the injured deserve.

Timely Support is Essential

For those with ASD, early intervention is a top priority. Identifying this disorder as soon as possible, and then applying a combination of appropriate treatments to help those affected overcome their challenges, is the best approach. In the absence of a cure, using proven treatments right away can improve outcomes and lead to a better life for the individual and their family.

Legal options for children and their loved ones injured by prenatal use of acetaminophen

All victims deserve justice for their injuries, no matter what type of case it may be. Just as someone injured in a car accident deserves compensation from the at-fault party, so too do individuals impacted by the dangers of Tylenol® use during pregnancy deserve compensation from a negligent corporation that failed to warn of the dangers. Anyone who believes they have been a victim should consider reaching out to a mass tort lawyer to consider their legal options.

^{[1] “A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve.” Khan, Farhana Yaqoob, et al., Cureus 14.7 (2022).}

^{[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] 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.}

^{[4] 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).}

^{[5] 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.}