In 2023, a class action lawsuit involving Tylenol was filed in New York, consolidating all acetaminophen lawsuits filed in federal court. The aim is to achieve a global settlement that offers reasonable compensation to affected children and families.

Initially, the notion of a connection between Tylenol and Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism) may have elicited skepticism. Tylenol is a ubiquitous medication that is present in our daily lives and medicine cabinets. Many people dismissed the idea of a Tylenol autism lawsuit becoming a significant issue.

However, the situation has changed, and a class action lawsuit has been initiated to advance the Tylenol and autism litigation. Recent medical research linking acetaminophen to autism is compelling and suggests that exposure to Tylenol (acetaminophen) in utero may be associated with higher rates of autism and other neurological disorders.

Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is a medication used to relieve pain and reduce fever, without opioid effects. The FDA states that acetaminophen is an active ingredient in numerous prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including Tylenol.

In the United States, acetaminophen is one of the most frequently used medications. An estimated 2.3 million pregnant women, equivalent to 65% of pregnant women, use acetaminophen products. Unfortunately, recent research has discovered that children who are exposed to acetaminophen while still in the womb have a greater risk of developing autism and ADHD compared to those who are not exposed prenatally.

RESEARCH

Acetaminophen, more commonly known by its brand name Tylenol, has been a go-to medication for millions of people worldwide. It is an over-the-counter medication that has been used for several decades to alleviate pain and reduce fever. In the United States alone, nearly every adult has taken Tylenol at least once, and approximately 20% of the population use acetaminophen products every week. Notably, two-thirds of women consume acetaminophen during pregnancy.

For many years, Tylenol has been widely considered safe, with no known health risks. However, the compound's effects on the human body are still not entirely understood by scientists. Researchers are yet to establish how acetaminophen relieves pain and reduces fever in the body.

Despite the lack of knowledge on how the compound works, acetaminophen has long been marketed to pregnant women as a safe and reliable option for pain and fever relief during pregnancy. It has often been promoted as the only over-the-counter pain medication that is safe for use during pregnancy. Consequently, this has contributed to the widespread public perception that Tylenol is entirely safe for use during pregnancy.

However, recent studies have shown that there may be potential health risks associated with Tylenol use, particularly during pregnancy. In 2010, a study published in the journal of the American Medical Association found that pregnant women who consumed acetaminophen regularly had a higher risk of their children developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Other studies have suggested that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen could lead to a higher risk of asthma and reduced fertility in male children.

Therefore, while acetaminophen is a widely used and readily available medication, it is crucial to consider the potential risks associated with its use. This is particularly true for pregnant women, who should consult their healthcare provider before taking any medication to ensure it is safe for them and their developing fetus.

In recent years, medical research has brought to light potential risks associated with the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, reversing the widely held belief that Tylenol is entirely safe for pregnant women. The medical community has come to recognize that neurotoxic exposures, including prenatal acetaminophen exposure, may contribute to an increase in autism and ADHD diagnoses.

The Nature Reviews Endocrinology journal back in 2021 featured a Consensus Statement from a group of 91 prominent medical experts who warned that Tylenol or acetaminophen during pregnancy could heighten the risk of autism. The statement, based on a large body of epidemiological research and animal testing, showed that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen can alter fetal development, leading to an increased risk of neuro-developmental disorders such as autism. This research included 29 observational studies involving over 220,000 mother-child pairs worldwide.

The studies consistently demonstrated a link between the prolonged use of Tylenol or acetaminophen during pregnancy and higher rates of autism spectrum disorder. According to the studies, extended Tylenol use during pregnancy increased the risk of autism in babies by 20%. Furthermore, the studies identified a clear correlation between the amount and for how long mothers took acetaminophen during pregnancy and the risk of autism. As such, the more Tylenol a woman takes during pregnancy, the higher the likelihood of her child developing autism.

In light of this research, the Consensus Statement recommended that the medical community and public health agencies take preventive measures to inform the public of the potential risks associated with using Tylenol during pregnancy. One of the recommendations included placing warning labels on all acetaminophen products regarding use during pregnancy. The statement highlights the importance of carefully considering the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and of seeking alternative pain relief options when possible.

The Tylenol lawsuit and settlement cases involves claims from individuals who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after being exposed to acetaminophen while in utero (i.e. while in their mother's womb during pregnancy). The cases being considered include:

• Acetaminophen
• Paracetamol
• Tylenol
• Tylenol Regular
• Tylenol Extra Strength
• Tylenol Extra Strength Rapid Release Gels
• Excedrin
• Mucinex
• Robitussin
• Sudafed
• Theraflu
• Alka-Seltzer Plus
• Goody’s
• Sinex
• FluTherapy
• NyQuil
• DayQuil
• Midol