Tylenol Autism Lawsuit

Yes. Paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol or APAP), also known as acetaminophen, is the active ingredient in hundreds of medications used to relieve pain and reduce fever. Acetaminophen is the most common drug ingredient in the U.S.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has long held that Tylenol during pregnancy is safe when used as directed. However, increasing research suggests that Tylenol during pregnancy may alter fetal development, which can increase the risks of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and ADHD.

Common Acetaminophen Drugs

• Tylenol
• NyQuil
• DayQuil
• Excedrin
• Alka-Seltzer Plus
• Mucinex
• Robitussin
• Goody’s

Can You Take Tylenol While Pregnant?

For many years, doctors advised pregnant women to take Tylenol or generic acetaminophen to relieve pain. Tylenol and its generic equivalents have long been advertised as the safest, and the only appropriate, over the counter (OTC) pain relief drug on the market for pregnant women. Between 40 and 65% of women use acetaminophen during pregnancy.

But medical research shows that taking Tylenol during pregnancy comes with risk.

The peer-reviewed medical journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology published a Consensus Statement in 2021 that warned mothers of the potential risks associated with taking acetaminophen drugs during pregnancy:

“[w]e believe the combined weight of animal and human scientific evidence is strong enough for pregnant women to be cautioned by health professionals against its indiscriminate use, both as a single ingredient and in combination with other medications. We recommend that APAP should be used by pregnant women cautiously at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Long-term or high-dose use should be limited to indications as advised by a health professional. Packaging should include warning labels including these recommendations. Given the high prevalence of APAP use by pregnant women, the public health implications of use reduction might be substantial.”

More and more children in the U.S. have cognitive, behavioral, or learning impairments. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) conducted a study that found 17% of children between the ages of three and 17 had a developmental disability, and importantly, that this percentage increased over the two time periods compared, 2009–2011 and 2015–2017.

Numerous studies conducted over the last few years suggest that acetaminophen during pregnancy may contribute to reproductive and neurobehavioral disorders. Tylenol during pregnancy may increase the risk of:

• Autism
• ADHD
• Developmental disabilities
• Behavioral difficulties
• Delayed language abilities
• Lowered IQ
• Other neurodevelopmental issues

Can a Pregnant Woman Take Excedrin?

Pregnant women who suffer from migraine headaches often ask if Excedrin is safe during pregnancy. The active ingredients in Excedrin are acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. The quick answer is that Excedrin should be treated like Tylenol/acetaminophen, which studies have shown comes with an increased risk of autism and ADHD when taken during pregnancy.

Is This a Johnson & Johnson Tylenol Lawsuit?

Currently, Johnson & Johnson is not named in the Tylenol autism suits. However, that could change as the litigation progresses. The defendants named in these cases are retailers that sell generic brands of Tylenol. Thus far, the defendants include:

• Walmart
• Walgreens
• CVS
• Rite Aid
• Costco
• Safeway

What Will the Tylenol Autism Lawsuit Payout Be?

It is completely understandable for clients to ask how much their case is worth. Answering this question, however, is difficult for numerous reasons. Generally speaking, the value of a Tylenol ADHD or autism case will be determined by a person’s claims for damages. Damages in this litigation are calculated based on (among other things):

• Expenses for health care and therapy related to your child’s medical condition, both in the past and in the future
• Loss of earnings if your child’s diagnosis forced you to stop work to take care of them.
• Loss of earning capacity of the child who cannot work due to the diagnosis or has limited ability due to the condition than would otherwise have.
• The mental anguish, stress, pain, and suffering caused to the child and family.
• Punitive damages against the defendants may also be possible. Punitive damages are exemplary damages awarded at the court's discretion when a defendant’s actions are particularly harmful. While each case is different, punitive damages can be worth several times more than the compensatory damages.

As the parent of a child diagnosed with autism or ADHD (or both), you already know how expensive health care services like occupational therapy and speech therapy can be. For some, these services are not covered by their health care insurance policy. In a lot of cases, these therapy and treatment are needed for many years.

Our attorneys intend to hold the defendants accountable so parents are not forced to shoulder this financial burden alone and without resources. Pursuing a Tylenol claim is your way of pursuing justice and compensation for these and other expenses.

If you would like our team to review your Tylenol autism lawsuit, contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.