A Judge in Texas has turned down a petition from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to implement a temporary injunction preventing Tylenol’s producer, Kenvue, from asserting during ongoing litigation that the pain reliever and fever reducer is safe for pregnant women and children, as indicated in court filings.
In documents submitted on Friday, District Judge LeAnn Rafferty, located in Panola County, also dismissed Paxton’s rare appeal to halt Kenvue from issuing $400 million in dividends to shareholders later this month.
These rejections represent initial defeats for Paxton in a politically sensitive case that revolves around the unverified assertion that Tylenol contributes to autism and other conditions—a narrative first put forth by President Trump and his anti-vaccine health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
During an unusual news conference in September, Trump urged Americans repeatedly to avoid the medication. However, scientific research has not proven that Tylenol (acetaminophen) leads to autism or other neurological issues. Some studies have claimed to detect an association between Tylenol usage and autism, but these studies contain significant limitations, and other research has found no correlation. Furthermore, Tylenol is regarded as the safest option for pain and fever relief during pregnancy, and ignoring pain and fevers during pregnancy is recognized to lead to adverse effects, including a heightened risk of autism.
Nonetheless, Paxton initiated the lawsuit on October 28, alleging that Kenvue and Tylenol’s previous parent corporation, Johnson & Johnson, misleadingly promoted Tylenol as safe while being aware of a heightened risk for autism and other issues. The lawsuit aimed to compel Kenvue to modify its marketing practices for Tylenol and impose penalties, among other aims.
