Three recent studies have linked the use of Tylenol or generic acetaminophen pain relievers to an increased risk of giving birth to a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
If you or a loved one used Tylenol or over-the-counter acetaminophen products during pregnancy and gave birth to a child with autism or ADHD, you may be eligible to file a claim and receive compensation.
To start the process of filing your claim today, contact the lawyers at Hissey Mulderig & Friend by calling our office toll-free at 1-855-922-3660, or by filling our our free claims form on the right side of this page.
Studies Link Tylenol & Acetaminophen to Autism & ADHD
Doctors have advised pregnant women for years to take Tylenol or acetaminophen instead of aspirin because it was thought to be safer. However, according to recent studies, when acetaminophen is taken during pregnancy for more than 28 days, it could increase a child’s risk of being born with autism or ADHD.
The first study linking Tylenol and acetaminophen to autism or ADHD was published in 2018 by the American Journal of Epidemiology. Researchers found that pregnant women who used Tylenol or acetaminophen were 20% more likely to give birth to a child with autism and 30% more likely to have a child that develops ADHD.
In 2019, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that children were 2.26-2.86-times more likely to develop ADHD and 2.14-3.62-times more likely to develop autism if their mothers used Tylenol or acetaminophen during pregnancy.
A third study published in 2021 by the European Journal of Epidemiology discovered that pregnant women who used acetaminophen products were 19% more likely to have a child that develops autism and 21% more likely to have a child that develops ADHD.
Lawsuits Filed Against Pharmacies That Sold Acetaminophen
In response to these studies linking Tylenol and acetaminophen to an increased risk of autism and ADHD, several lawsuits have been filed against pharmacies and drug stores that sold these pain relievers.
So far, at least 19 lawsuits involving at least 48 children who were born with autism or ADHD have been filed against national pharmacy chains. The pharmacies and drugstores named in these lawsuits include Costco, CVS, Rite Aid, Safeway, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart.
In October 2022, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated 18 of the 19 lawsuits in a nationwide multidistrict litigation to expedite the trial and discovery process of the litigation and make it easier for families to receive a potential settlement.
Lawyers involved in the litigation say that they expect that due to the widespread use of Tylenol and acetaminophen by pregnant women, the expect that tens to hundreds of thousands of families will eventually file a lawsuit.
Start Your Claim Today
If you or a loved one used Tylenol or acetaminophen during pregnancy and gave birth to a child with ASD or ADHD, you may qualify to file a claim and receive compensation.
To start your claim today, contact the attorneys at Hissey Mulderig & Friend by calling our office toll-free at 1-855-922-3660, or by filling our our free claims form located at the top of this page.