Tylenol Lawsuits Over Autism, ADHD Risk From Prenatal Exposure Warrant Centralization: Motion

Acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy increased the risk of children developing ADHD and autism, lawsuits filed over past few weeks allege

Irvin Jackson

Add Your Comments

A growing number of Tylenol lawsuits are now being filed against CVS, Walgreens and manufacturers of acetaminophen-based drugs, alleging that use of the painkiller during pregnancy caused children to develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In response to the growing litigation, a group of plaintiffs filed a motion (PDF) with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) on June 10, calling for complaints brought throughout the federal court system to be centralized before one judge for coordinated discovery and pretrial proceedings.

There are currently at least 19 Tylenol autism and ADHD lawsuit filed in U.S. District Courts nationwide, each raising similar allegations that pharmacies and drug manufacturers failed to warn about the risks associated with prenatal exposure to acetaminophen: the active ingredient in Tylenol.

Update 10/6/2022:

Following a hearing on September 29, 2022, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) granted this motion and established Tylenol MDL for all autism lawsuits and ADHD lawsuits filed over exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy

Acetaminophen Lawsuits Centralized in Federal MDL

Each of the complaints raise similar questions of fact and law, indicating that information about the link between Tylenol and autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders has been withheld from consumers, who unknowingly exposed their unborn children to long-term risks and challenges that could have been avoided.

Plaintiffs indicate in the motion that each of the 19 filed Tylenol lawsuits have been brought in just a matter of a few weeks, suggesting many more ADHD and autism claims are likely to be filed in the coming weeks and months as lawyer investigate additional claims.

They argue that consolidation will eliminate duplicative discovery and contradictory judges’ orders, as well as serve the convenience of the parties, the court and witnesses.

“Transfer and centralization are appropriate in this case given the substantial commonality of questions of fact and law,” the motion states. “The overlap of the factual allegations and legal theories in these actions is near total.”

Tylenol ADHD, Autism Risks

The lawsuits come in the wake of recent studies which have suggested the use of prenatal exposure to Tylenol increases the autism and ADHD risks.

Tylenol Autism Lawsuit

Does your child have Austism from Tylenol Exposure?

Learn More
SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR COMPENSATION

Tylenol Autism Lawsuit

Does your child have Austism from Tylenol Exposure?

Learn More
SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR COMPENSATION

In October 2019, a study published in the medical journal JAMA Psychiatry found that children with the highest levels of acetaminophen metabolites in their blood at birth had the highest risk of the developmental disorders.

According to additional research published in the European Journal of Epidemiology in June 2021, children exposed to Tylenol during pregnancy were 19% more likely to have autism spectrum disorders and 21% more likely to have ADHD symptoms compared to non-exposed children.

Due to the potential acetaminophen pregnancy risks, researchers from Columbia University warned that doctors should re-evaluate the role of the pain medication for pregnant women in 2020, after finding that prenatal exposure may lead to impaired neurodevelopment in the fetus.

2023 Tylenol Autism and ADHD Lawsuit Update

The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) heard oral arguments over whether to centralize all acetaminophen autism and ADHD lawsuits on September 29, 2022, and rejected arguments by the drug manufacturers and retailers, who opposed the creation of a federal MDL (multidistrict litigation).

In a transfer order issued on October 5, 2022, the MDL panel decided to centralize and consolidate all current and future Tylenol autism lawsuits and Tylenol ADHD lawsuits before Senior U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in the Southern District of New York, for coordinated discovery and pretrial proceedings.

While the Tylenol lawsuits over ADHD and autism will be managed in a manner similar to a class action lawsuit, each claim will remain an individual action and if Tylenol settlements are not reached following discovery and a series of early bellwether trials, each individual case may later be remanded back to the U.S. District Court where it was originally filed for a separate trial date.

Throughout 2023, it is expected that thousands of families will step forward to file a lawsuit against Tylenol or other acetaminophen manufacturers. To learn more about the latest information on the lawsuits and the criteria for claims that may be eligible for settlement benefits in the future, follow our: Tylenol Lawsuit Updates

Share Your Story

Read the comments below from other families of children diagnosed with ADHD or Autism from Tylenol, and share your story with the AboutLawsuits.com community.

Add Comments
Tags: Acetaminophen, ADHD, Autism, Bayer, Costco, CVS, Pregnancy, Tylenol, Walgreens, Walmart

More Tylenol Lawsuit Stories

116 Comments

Judith
When i was pregnant with my daughter Stacy Lyn in 1986 i had to take tylenol and xtra strength every day . I also wore a brace for chronic Sciatic nerve pain . EVERY DAY some days i remember having to take 3 doses quite often. She is going through a lot and always has been hyper and just different then my other children.
Beverly
My son was diagnosed as having ADD and I took Tylenol for a toothache while I was pregnant with him in..he was born in 1990.. my other children, older than him, don’t have it, and I didn’t take anything while being pregnant with them..
Sheri
Interestedin determining if we qualify for the tylenol autism/adhd lawsuit. I took both tylenol and excedrine and my son was diagnosed with adhd and we are seeking diagnosis for my daughter as well. My children are both older than 18.
Matt
Is this really only for children because I am definitely victim of this but I’m 39 years old
Stacy
My son was born 2-25-2005. He has been diagnosed with a.d.h.d, learning disabilities, anxiety, and p.t.s.d. The p.t.s.d is from his dad’s suicide. The a.d.h.d, learning disabilities, and anxiety are since birth. I suffer from migraines and I took Tylenol through out my pregnancy because I was told it was the only thing safe to take while pregnant.
Eva
I just heard of this and I have grandchildren and children who have it. My son age 40 has 4 children with it then my youngest of 30 has adhd as well. I myself have been diagnosed with adhd. Is there just this age limit or is it because in the older people they just didn’t know? I think we need to look further back. Our meds are ridiculously expensive.
Gina
I took Tylenol while pregnant, due to rheumatoid arthritis, back in 1980. My son is now 42. He is my only child, and remains with a child like innocence. While pregnant, I was around my great grandmother who insisted I get proper prenatal care, exercise, and meals. I had juvenile arthritis back then, and couldn’t take Motrin while pregnant. He was born as expected, at 5lbs 10 ounces. He grew normal, then just as he’s starting to speak, he stops. Welcome to the twilight zone. Being told that your child is Autistic, begins confusion. They said he’d never speak, and I needed him to talk. Working with him, has allowed him the ability to cook, wash, and talk. If I could go back in time, I would not have taken Tylenol.
Kristin
I was told Tylenol was the only thing I could take in my pregnancy and I had headaches and back pain in both of my pregnancies. My son Blake (19) has Autism and my daughter Destiny (17) has ADHD.
Irene
I have a 13 yr. old son with Autism and a 12 yr. old with ADHD and learning disability. I took Tylenol with both pregnancies because I was told it was safe and the only thing I could take.
Kristen
I took Tylenol throughout my entire pregnancy with my now 16 yr old. Now he has adhd, odd, & mild autism. I had severe back pain & headaches and it was the only thing I was assured was 100% safe for myself & unborn child. Now I have to live with the guilt had I not taken it my child wouldn’t struggle the way he does today.
Mamta
I took Tylenol for both of my pregnancies as I was told I can only take Tylenol for pain management . My elder one is on the Autism spectrum and has ADD , my little one is too little to get diagnosed yet. This is awful.. Now I am forever going to live with this guilt. This is awful, heartbreaking and very upsetting.
M
I am a person who had to take acetaminophen for my migraines during all three of my pregancy’s. All 3 of my kids have sensory issues. Two of my children have diagnosis—–1st child diagnosis: ASD level 1; 2nd child diagnosis: ADHD
Eliza
I took Tylenol during my two pregnancies. My older son was 13 years old when he was diagnosed with ADHD. My younger son was 6 years old when he was diagnosed with ADHD and 10 years old when he was diagnosed with Autism. My doctor assured me that the my babies would be fine.
April
I have three girls all with ADHD. I had back pain during all those pregnancies and my doctors told me I could only take Tylenol. Also with my first daughter I had a very bad UTI/kidney infection again only used Tylenol. One of my daughters has sensory issues along with her ADHD. They gave her the label of “non-lethal learning disability” she is not actually non-verbal. It has all the “symptoms” if you will as autism.
Keisha
I have a 15 year old son. I suffered with migraines all my life and during my pregnancy they were very serious I was told to only take Tylenol which I took multiple times a month during my whole pregnancy
jesse
I am 25 year old my mother took Tylenol when i was a baby and i was diagnosed with some of the thing in the list above and it affects my everyday. Do i need to get a lawyer or anything
JEN
I took only Tylenol through both pregnancies. My daughter born in 1998 was diagnosed as bipolar and my son born in 2000 with ADHD. There’s some guilt to live with.
Janelle
I took Tylenol throughout both of my pregnancies. I had chronic back pain during my first pregnancy and severe migraines during my second pregnancy. We waited on waitlists for both kids to be seen at the closest autism center, and they both finally had their appointments last week. My son, 5 years old, was diagnosed with developmental delay and impulsive ADHD. My daughter, 2 years old, was diagnosed with autism.
Kafi
My son was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I used Tylenol all during my pregnancy due to a medical condition.
augusta
I took Tylenol almost everyday it’s the only thing I would take I was afraid of one day seeing a commercial that said if you’ve ever taken Tylenol between this year and this year you’re prone to die or something like that and they told me it was the only thing I could take that was safe so I only took name Brand Tylenol my mother did too and I have ADHD of complex and so does my son
Maria
I took tylenol almost my entire pregnancy as well as amoxicillin my son is now ADHD and is allergic to amoxicillin.
Jan Lynn
I am the grandmother of a 23-year-old biracial young man. His grandfather and I have had custody of him since he was born. Prior to that his mother suffered severe headaches and bodyaches throughout her pregnancy. She was told by her physician that the only thing she could take was Tylenol. I don’t think she went more than a day without any Tylenol. All of her children, four, have ADHD, ADD, bipolar depression, and autism. I am currently investigating joining a class action suit on behalf of my grandson. He is our son and has been since he was born in September 1999. Please advise if we need to do anything to join this lawsuit.
Kimberly
I have a son now 7 diagnosed with adhd and odd and sensory issues. I was advised only to take tylenol during my pregnancies.
Philishia
Call and I will tell you more about it
Karie
17 y.o. Autistic daughter (non-verbal) I had a chronic kidney infection as well as a wisdom tooth I tried to out off for a month or two before getting pulled. I would estimate my Tylenol usage at 3-4 months. Call me 👌
Tk
I have 5 boys and was also told that Tylenol was all I could take during my pregnancies and my 1st and 2nd born diagnosed ADHD, 3rd ADD, 4th ODD, and 5th ADHD. They all have struggled with an thru school and a huge variety of things, and still struggle to this day. My boys are 36, 31, 27, 21 and 13. It’s been a never ending battle with them and myself as well trying to help them, I have guardianship of my oldest and fear it may be the same situation in the long run with my youngest. I would like information on how I can pursue about this matter as well.
Lisbette
During all three of my pregnancies I suffered really bad back pains and leg pains and so my doctor advised it would be safe to only take Tylenol for my pain. My first child born May 1998, was diagnosed with ADHD, second child born April 2004, same diagnosis with ADHD and my third child born August 2008 also diagnosed with ADHD, Speech and learning disabilities. I was told it was safe and continued to take Tylenol during my pregnancies as needed for pain and now reading the effects that this has caused for many families, I would like to know if I have a case and how can I go about moving forward and next steps.
GLORIA J
I took generic Tylenol during my pregnancy in 1990 for lower back pain. I was assured it was safe to take. My son was born in September 1990. By the time he was 6 yrs old he was diagnosed with A.D.H.D., and O.C.D. and Anxiety. Today he is almost 32 yrs old. Cannot hold a job, is on Social Security Disabiltiy, has huge difficulties holding down a relationship.
Jennifer
When I was pregnant (both times) I was advised to take Tylenol. I was told it was completely safe. Both my boys (ages 15 and 10) were diagnosed with ADHD at age 5. Now they are both on medication due to the severity of their ADHD, and in addition my youngest was just diagnosed with epilepsy.
Glata
My son was born in 1990. He had a multi cystic pelvic kidney that was removed when he was 7 days old. He was diagnosed with ADD while in the 3rd grade. During my pregnancy the only pain relived my doctor would allow was Tylenol. He struggled all his life with ADD causing him to barely finish school.
Melissa
I have chronic migraines and had terrible pain throughout all of my four pregnancies. I was advised to take Tylenol and Benadryl with all of pregnancies and my son has recently been diagnosed with ADHD. I’ve worried for a while that all of my children suffer from ADHD (on some part of the spectrum, my son the worst though). I’m pissed that I wasn’t given the risks of the medication when told to take it!
Yvonne
Both of my children have been diagnosed with ADHD and I suspect that my youngest son also has autism spectrum disorder although he was never officially diagnosed. I took Tylenol frequently for pain during both of my pregnancies. My OB/GYN recommended it over other types of pain medication.
Sally
I took Tylenol 22 years ago while pregnant with twins. My daughter is fine but her twin.. my son developed ADHD in the 3rd grade! He was 8 years old! He has suffered with this all these years. As an adult he struggles everyday with this! His daily life suffers! Hell he suffers! He is a capable man and can do anything… takes him a lil longer! I’m worried his children will suffer to! And since I took this otc pain med… I believe us as parents deserve a cut in this! After all we raised these children! If they suffer… then we suffered to!
Aleeta
I have 3 children, my 2 sons have neurological issues. My now 32 yr old was diagnosed with ADHD/Aspergers as a child. My 28 yr old had ADD. I was told it was safe to take Tylenol and Tylenol III for my chronic migraines. I did not take any other medications and I ate healthy and exercised throughout my full term pregnancies.
Josh
My mother had to take tylenol while pregnant with me constantly she was told it was fine and I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder 8-7 years ago is this disorder part of the neurological disorders tylenol causes
Nichole
I took generic Tylenol during my pregnancy with my son he was born in 2010. He has since been diagnosed with ODD, ADHD and Autism. He has severe anger and almost never sleeps at night. We even have him in multiple kinds of therapies and had to put him into an Residential program for a little over a year. He is currently taking meds to help him in school. I still have ONLY heard about the Tylenol connection with his diagnosis through the television never has it been a question asked at any of the Dr.s we have taken him to. I had an exploratory MRI done in 2018 and it was found that he has a cyst in his pituitary region of his brain. Could this also explain why all of this has happened? Has there been any discovery of reversing tylenol’s effects on these children? What do I need to do to pursue this?
confidential
my wife took Tylenol when she was pregnant and our 9 years old was diagnosed with ADHD, our 8 years old was diagnosed with severe speech delay and our 6 years old has ADHD symptoms . we kept asking the doctor if it was ok to take Tylenol and she assured us that my wife and child would be fine. We would like to know how or what we need to do regarding the lawsuit and compensation
Tammy
I took Tylenol with my pregnancy. My son is 9 years old and has been diagnosed with ADHD by his school.
Michelle
I was told to take Tylenol for pain with my daughter who is now 17. She was breech and it caused a lot of pain especially Braxton hicks. Doctors told me it was safe and safer than ibuprofen. She had sleep onset disorder passive adhd and I had to home school her through 7th grade she was diagnosed at age 10 with severe autism coordination disorder and anxiety. I had to be a stay at home mom because of her disorders. Financially it has been rough. She has an avoidant personality as well. She is highly anxious and cannot speak in public some sort of selective mutism. I am enraged. She is the only one of my four children I took anything with. And she is the only one with autism. What a bummer we find out all these years later.
Dorsey
My daughter was born in 2002. She is diagnosed with ADHD, ticks, anxiety and OCD. She has managed it pretty well all her life, but in college she finally had to get on medication to help with her symptoms. I took Tylenol as the safe alternative to any pain meds for my back and headaches .
Gabrielle
My son is 6 years old I used Tylenol my whole pregnancy for migraines as I couldn’t take any other medicine and stopped all medications. My doctor told me it was completely okay. My son has been diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. And because he is Autistic he has now been diagnosed with focal epilepsy.
Felicia
My son is currently 7 I’ve known since he was 6 months old he was adhd and autistic. His dr however argued I couldn’t possibly know that that early.. what do you know at 5 I Finally was able to start getting him evaluated through children’s hospital and has had numerous evaluations he’s been in speech and occupational therapy he has ieps he currently at school sees 6 different teachers ranging from School occupational therapist school speech therapist School psychiatrist his regular teacher and two others work with him started in kindergarten now going on to first grade he needs six different teachers all with different certifications and dealing with autism and ADHD in children with learning disabilities I took Tylenol very very regularly while I was pregnant because one I had a massive massive issue with morning sickness the first trimester I did not keep anything down I threw up so much it damaged and created Scar Tissue on my esophagus I almost lost him I had a threatened miscarriage at 3 months from the lack of me being able to keep anything down the only thing that I usually could keep down was Tylenol throughout the second and third trimester I took Tylenol Extra Strength Tylenol and another version of Tylenol especially in my third trimester when I peeked at 205 lb and was so swollen I couldn’t even get my shoes on much less my socks I weighed 130 lb when I got pregnant
Cynthia
My son was born 1981 and has ADHD. He struggled his whole life with this. I took him to one of the top neurologist’s in the Saint Louis area. Who diagnosed him with ADHD, which he took meds. for but still struggled with school, jobs, relationships. This broke my heart watching him struggle. I know I took Tylenol which I was told was safe because I had a bad respiratory infection in my forth month.
Lauren
I took it with all of my children. One of them has Autism and three of them had developmental delays. I was told it was safe
Diane
I had to take acetaminophen on a Daily basis for my Back Pain.. while pregnant with my son in 1986. He was diagnosed with ADHD in kindergarten due to his ongoing problems and was Heavily medicated for it. He has had problems All his life..and is in Jail currently..Again. Do I have a case? Thanks for your time.
Cecilia
My first son was born in 1987 and we were told by doctors it was okay to use Tylenol and acetaminophen for headaches and back pain and body pain he was diagnosed very young with ADHD it was very difficult in the household for many years and he still struggles with it today and he’s in his thirties
Melissa
I took Tylenol when I was pregnant with my oldest son and he was diagnosed with ADHD and took different medication for it he is now 30 yrs old I had him in 1992 i was 17 and I keep asking the doctor of it was ok to take Tylenol and he assured me I was fine. What I would like to know is how or what I need to do regaurding the lawsuit and compensation
Sheleana
Both my son and daughter have been diagnosed with ADHD, I was given several different medications during both pregnancies that had acetaminophen in it. I remember asking multiple times if it was safe to take certain medications while pregnant especially the hydrocodone/acetaminophen I was told it was ok. My son was born in 2012 and my daughter in 2015. Both of my children also have a hard time being able to express themselves in a healthy manner especially my son. Both of my children were diagnosed young. I started paying out of my pocket for my daughter medicine because she was not able to learn or focus in school her insurance wouldn’t cover ADHD meds until she turned 6, after my son was diagnosed with ADHD he started different types of therapy he was put on medication after his insurance would cover the cost which was age 6 as well. Both my son and daughter are currently in therapy still as well as taking their ADHD meds
Dianne
My Son Was Born In 1989” & I Took Tylenol & He Has ADHD To This Day! He Was On Meds For It As A Child!!
Mary
I took prescription meds that had Tylenol in it during botbmy pregnant
1 2 3

Share Your Comments

This field is hidden when viewing the form
I authorize the above comments be posted on this page
Post Comment
Weekly Digest Opt-In

Want your comments reviewed by a lawyer?

To have an attorney review your comments and contact you about a potential case, provide your contact information below. This will not be published.

NOTE: Providing information for review by an attorney does not form an attorney-client relationship.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

MORE TOP STORIES

Ozempic Blindness Lawsuit Claims Drug Caused NAION Side Effects
A new lawsuit claims that the diabetes and weight loss drug, Ozempic, caused a woman to lose vision in her left eye.
MORE ABOUT: OZEMPIC LAWSUIT
Hair Color Lawsuit Alleges Bladder Cancer Caused By Salon Dye
Following 52 years as a cosmetologist, a New Jersey woman says she developed bladder cancer due to routine exposure to hair color chemicals.
MORE ABOUT: HAIR DYE LAWSUIT
Galaxy-Gas-Class-Action-Lawsuit
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Galaxy Gas and several associated companies, alleging the product is marketed to teens using sweet flavors and deceptive safety claims, leading to widespread addiction and neurological injuries.