Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the makers of Tylenol, claiming the companies hid alleged dangers that the drug posed to children's brain development.
The lawsuit comes a month after President Donald Trump promoted an unproven link between taking Tylenol - also known as paracetamol - during pregnancy and autism in children.
Paxton is suing Johnson & Johnson, which previously sold the drug, the only pain reliever recommended for pregnant women, and Kenvue, which now manufactures it. In a statement, he said they betrayed America by profiting off of pain and pushing pills regardless of the risks.
Kenvue says there is no credible evidence tying Tylenol to autism.
These corporations lied for decades, knowingly endangering millions to line their pockets, Paxton, a Republican, said.
Kenvue expressed concern about misinformation regarding acetaminophen safety, noting that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the drug and autism. Medical organizations echo this sentiment, highlighting the need for pregnant women to have safe pain management options.
In an ensuing controversy, Trump advised pregnant women to avoid Tylenol when ill, prompting the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue clarifications about the drug's use, stating a causal link to autism hasn't been established.
The lawsuit seeks to compel the companies to alter their marketing practices regarding Tylenol's safety for pregnant women amidst a backdrop of ongoing debates surrounding the medication's implications on child development.
