Texas Sues Tylenol Makers Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue Over Alleged Hidden Autism Risks
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, claiming the Tylenol makers concealed evidence linking the drug to autism and ADHD.
October 28, 2025 - 11:46 AM ET • 2 min read
On Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the makers of Tylenol, Johnson & Johnson and its spinoff company Kenvue, alleging that the corporations knowingly concealed evidence regarding the drug's potential risks to children's brain development.
The lawsuit, filed by the Republican attorney general, claims the companies withheld information from consumers about Tylenol's alleged links to autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Johnson & Johnson sold the over-the-counter pain reliever for decades, while Kenvue has marketed the drug since 2023.
The legal action asserts that the manufacturers deliberately kept consumers unaware of the alleged connection between Tylenol use and neurodevelopmental disorders. The suit seeks to hold the corporations accountable for damages related to the alleged concealment of risks associated with the widely used medication.
A specific claim within the Texas filing targets the corporate restructuring of the defendants. The lawsuit alleges that Kenvue was created with the specific intent of shielding Johnson & Johnson from potential liability stemming from Tylenol-related claims. Kenvue was established as a separate entity in 2023 to handle Johnson & Johnson's consumer health division, which includes Tylenol.
The Texas lawsuit is notable as the first legal action initiated by a state government that directly references recent high-profile claims regarding the drug's safety profile. The filing follows allegations made last month by former President Donald Trump, who claimed that the use of Tylenol during pregnancy could cause autism.
While the lawsuit seizes on these political allegations, the link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism remains unproven, according to reports. The filing represents the latest fallout from the claims, placing renewed scrutiny on the drug's safety profile and the manufacturers' marketing practices.
The legal challenge places Johnson & Johnson, a major pharmaceutical and consumer goods conglomerate, and Kenvue, its consumer health spinoff, under renewed pressure. The action adds to the growing body of litigation the companies face concerning various products and corporate liability structures.