Johnson and Johnson, the maker of Tylenol, privately acknowledged evidence of a link between acetaminophen and autism within the last decade, and even recognized the likelihood of that link. But none of it was conclusive and they also acknowledge that some of the studies were weak.
Here’s more from the DCNF:
The pharmaceutical company behind Tylenol privately acknowledged the likelihood of an association between its drug in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism in children seven years ago, company documents obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation show.
“The weight of the evidence is starting to feel heavy to me,” said Rachel Weinstein, U.S. director of epidemiology for Janssen, the pharmaceutical arm of Johnson & Johnson, in 2018. Johnson & Johnson marketed Tylenol at the time but in 2023 spun off its consumer products division into a separate company called Kenvue.
Legacy media headlines and vocal public health experts have dismissed the conclusion of President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that Tylenol taken in pregnancy and early infancy has driven rises in autism. But one stakeholder has for years viewed the evidence as credible enough to act upon, at least privately: The makers of Tylenol.
The DCNF obtained the company documents from the law firm Keller Postman LLC, which brought a class action lawsuit against Kenvue in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York.
To be sure, much of the highly-cited research on autism spectrum disorder emphasizes genetic rather than environmental drivers. The scientific community continues to debate its causes, with many scientists agreeing that multiple factors may be at play.
The company’s FAQ webpage says that “acetaminophen is an active ingredient in all TYLENOL® products and in more than 600 other over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines.”
A 2018 internal presentation the company labeled “privileged and confidential” acknowledges that observational studies show a “somewhat consistent” association between prenatal exposure to Tylenol and neurodevelopmental disorders. Another presentation slide acknowledges that larger meta-analyses — reviews summarizing multiple scientific studies — found an association, but notes weaknesses of these studies like confounding variables and subjectivity in measuring autistic traits.
“Johnson & Johnson divested its consumer health business years ago, and all rights and liabilities associated with the sale of its over-the-counter products, including Tylenol (acetaminophen), are owned by Kenvue,” a Johnson & Johnson spokesman said in a statement.
Shur did not respond to a request for comment. Mann and Gorski could not be reached for comment.
We’ve seen the company Tylenol say on the record that they don’t recommend the medicine for pregnant women, and this is what President Trump and HHS is essentially saying now. This revelation proves that they’ve been looking into it themselves and that there is likely cause for concern.
Remember this when you read that they DENY DENY DENY what Trump and RFK Jr are saying about the link.