The news: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, alleging that the companies “deceptively market” Tylenol to pregnant mothers despite knowing the pain medication increases the risk of autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. It’s the first state lawsuit against Tylenol’s makers, according to media reports. For context, Johnson & Johnson sold Tylenol for more than 60 years before transferring it to spin-off company Kenvue in 2023.

The lawsuit claims that Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act because they hid that acetaminophen—Tylenol's active ingredient—”is dangerous to unborn children and young children.”

Driving the news: Donald Trump warned pregnant women and parents in a recent Truth Social post not to use Tylenol unless absolutely necessary, citing concerns (also echoed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD) that acetaminophen use during pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of neurological conditions, like autism, in children, which is prompting the FDA to seek a new product label.

Why it matters: Some studies suggest a link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and a higher risk of autism or ADHD, but experts and health agencies emphasize this does not prove causation. The FDA itself maintains there’s no established connection between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism, contradicting recent comments from agency head Makary.

Despite claims being debunked by medical experts and the FDA, most consumers are uncertain what to make of the Trump administration’s Tylenol warnings.

• 64% of parents and 60% of consumers overall said they think it’s either “probably true” or “probably false” that taking Tylenol during pregnancy increases the risk of the child developing autism, per a September 2025 KFF survey.
• About one-third in each group said it’s “definitely false.”

What it means for healthcare and pharma marketers: The Tylenol brand has actively defended itself against the Trump administration’s recent claims through social media posts, FAQs on its website, and advertisements across different media channels. Kenvue will now need to take further action, given the unpredictable nature of when Trump will comment next, along with his administration’s efforts to relabel Tylenol.

Kenvue can set a precedent for healthcare and pharma brands in managing negative publicity by focusing on three strategic pillars:

• Direct consumer reassurance: Open clear, personal lines of communication like periodic live chats or Q&A sessions, letting consumers send in specific questions that may not be answered on a self-created website FAQ page.
• Trusted expert validation: Team up with trusted medical associations and agencies to develop explainer videos and resources specifically for Facebook (used by 85% of US mothers, per our forecast data), YouTube, and TikTok (for young moms).
• Physician-focused communication: Reinforce clinical support by providing healthcare providers with comprehensive, up-to-date resources that reaffirm the product's safety and efficacy (e.g., Tylenol’s standing as the safest over-the-counter option for fevers during pregnancy), and stress the importance of patient-doctor consultation.