The 440 lawsuits filed against the makers of Tylenol and generic acetaminophen include “admissible evidence” that prenatal exposure to Tylenol can lead to autism and ADHD. No, a federal judge ruled this week.
U.S. District Judge Dennis Cote wrote in her letter: opinion At least one of the experts provided by the plaintiffs “cherry-picked and misrepresented research findings and refused to acknowledge the role of genetics in the pathogenesis of ASD and ADHD.”
The ruling is broadly consistent with the position of major medical authorities, which says there is insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and children with problems such as autism or ADHD. ing.
On the other hand, some evidence suggest Acetaminophen use during pregnancy may be associated with neurobehavioral problems, but a definitive causal relationship has not been established. The risks may be greater with higher doses and more frequent use of the drug, the study notes.
2021 Consensus Statement Published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology It called for further warnings about taking these drugs during pregnancy. However, the researchers said neurobehavioral issues are complex and other factors during pregnancy, such as maternal stress or alcohol intake, may have influenced the results.
The statement spurred a lawsuit filed on behalf of families with children with autism and ADHD, who argued that drug companies should have warned pregnant women about the health risks.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) maintains that acetaminophen is safe in moderation during pregnancy.
The group said there is no direct evidence of a link between some uses of acetaminophen and neurobehavioral problems in children.
“As always, medications taken during pregnancy should be used only when necessary, in moderation, and only after pregnant patients have consulted their doctor.” In response to the 2021 Consensus Statement, ACOG said:.
US Food and Drug Administration said in september It said there was not enough evidence that acetaminophen causes neurobehavioral problems, without considering ongoing litigation.
The federal health agency also said women should consult their doctor before taking the drug if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Mr. Johnson's spokesperson & Johnson Consumer, the maker of Tylenol and a subsidiary of Kenview, told ABC News that the court's decision “concurs with the position of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and leading medical authorities who have thoroughly evaluated this decision. We agree,” the statement said. Importantly, science does not support causality. ”
The statement continued: “Allowing scientific speculation to inform medical decision-making in court can have unfortunate, real and long-term public health implications, so I am “We will move to have these cases dismissed. We are medical professionals, not lawyers.” – We are best placed to advise you on whether acetaminophen is appropriate based on your specific medical condition. ”
Lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
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