Judge Bars Testimony Linking Kenvue's Pain Killer Tylenol to Autism in Pregnancy

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote ruled against allowing expert witnesses to testify that Johnson & Johnson JNJ spin-off Kenvue Inc's KVUE painkiller Tylenol could cause autism in babies if taken during pregnancy. 

This decision effectively halts the mass tort litigation involving approximately 500 lawsuits over the popular over-the-counter drug.

In a comprehensive 148-page ruling, Judge Cote determined that none of the five proposed expert witnesses for the plaintiffs had presented scientifically sound methodologies supporting the claim that Tylenol's active ingredient, acetaminophen, leads to autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 

She criticized their approach as lacking structure, allowing biased analysis, and neglecting data complexities.

Reuters highlighted the confusion generated by the lawsuits, labeling Tylenol as one of history's most extensively researched medications. 

The legal battle encompassed not only Johnson & Johnson but also major retailers like CVS Health Corp CVS, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc WBA, and Walmart Inc WMT, who faced allegations regarding their generic versions of Tylenol. 

The multidistrict litigation, consolidated before Judge Cote in October 2022, originated from claims suggesting a failure to warn pregnant users about potential neurological risks associated with acetaminophen in Tylenol.

Health experts advise pregnant individuals to opt for acetaminophen over aspirin or ibuprofen due to the risk of fetal organ damage associated with the latter two. 

Although some studies have indicated a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and certain disorders, researchers caution that other underlying factors might be responsible, emphasizing the need for further investigation.

Price Action: KVUE shares are down 0.98% at $21.26 on the last check Wednesday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.