Tylenol Causing ADHD and Autism in Children

The maker of the brand, Johnson & Johnson, is being held accountable with claims suggesting that they should have known the risks of their product. Likewise, they should have been making the risk of their product widely known to prevent this from happening. 

Symptoms of ADHD and Autism

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, is a chronic condition that includes the following symptoms:

• Inability to sit still, especially in quiet or calm settings
• Constantly fidgeting
• Inability to concentrate on tasks
• Excessive physical activity
• Excessive talking 
• Acting without thinking 
• Inability to wait and interrupting conversations

This is a condition that develops in childhood and in turn persists into an individual’s adulthood. Treatment is available to help lower the intensity of the symptoms, but not as a cure-all. 

Autism, on the other hand, is a severe developmental disorder that can hinder one’s ability to communicate and interact. The common symptoms for autism include:

• Delayed language and movement skills
• Delayed cognitive or learning skills
• Impulsive and hyperactive behavior
• Epilepsy or seizure disorders
• Unusual sleeping and eating habits
• Unusual mood or emotional reactions

Taking Tylenol During Pregnancy 

In a 2019 study reviewing the amount of acetaminophen (Tylenol) amount in the umbilical cord of 996 births, those with the highest or second highest amount of acetaminophen had children who on average developed ADHD or autism by the time they turned 8 years old. 

For those with the highest amount of acetaminophen within the umbilical cord, the child was at 2.86 times the risk of developing either condition / disorder within their lifetime. 

In a later review of taking acetaminophen during pregnancy in 2021, it was advised to not to take acetaminophen unless directly advised by your doctor. 

This advice came from an international team of pediatricians, obstetricians, neurologists, and scientists further suggesting that if acetaminophen is needed during pregnancy, then the smallest dose for the shortest time is highly recommended. 

Additionally studies showed that taking Tylenol during the second or third trimester of pregnancy applied additional risk of abnormal development of the baby. While the FDA still commits to the notion that Tylenol is generally safe to take during pregnancy, this is based on short-term use of the drug. 

Lawsuits Filed Against Tylenol 

Litigation is currently underway for claims that upon taking Tylenol or other generic acetaminophen products while pregnant, the child was given a diagnosis of ADHD, autism, or other developmental disorder. 

Those who have already filed lawsuits are seeking compensation from the damages caused by Tylenol’s negligence in explicitly providing a warning on all packaging about the pregnancy risk. 

As of now, the growth in numbers of those taking legal action against Tylenol is picking up speed day by day. 

Legal Rights of Those Affected by Tylenol 

If you or a loved one was pregnant while taking Tylenol and your child has been diagnosed with the above following developmental disorders, you may be eligible for compensation. 

Compensation can be sought for the following and more:

• Medical costs
• Missed work due to medical appointments
• Emotional damage and detriment 
• Inconvenience
• Additional child-care 

Retaining a law firm to assist with filing and following through with a lawsuit against Tylenol / Johnson & Johnson can be extremely beneficial to you and your case. Finding a law firm that has experience with mass tort actions, class action lawsuits, or other complicated litigation can also be beneficial to the outcome of your case.