Expecting mothers often find themselves in need of pain relief throughout pregnancy. Traditionally, the commonly-used pain-reliever and fever-reducer acetaminophen, sold under the brand names Tylenol and Paracetamol, has been deemed safe for both expecting mothers and their developing babies.
But in recent years, multiple studies suggest taking Tylenol too often during pregnancy may not be as safe as previously believed, as prenatal use of the drug has been linked to an increased risk of autism in children.
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Studies Linking Pain-Relievers to Autism
A 2014 Danish study first made the link between acetaminophen and autism. A few years later, a 2017 study published in the Journal of International Medical Research described autism as “an acetaminophen-induced brain injury,” explaining that deficiencies in the metabolic breakdown of pharmaceuticals during prenatal development are a possible explanation. According to The Cleveland Clinic, a 2018 study also confirmed the Danish findings, showing a 20% higher risk of autism in babies with prolonged exposure to acetaminophen during fetal development. Since then, additional studies, including ones conducted by Johns Hopkins, have confirmed these findings.
Despite these scientific studies, and despite having moral and legal obligations to warn their consumers, manufacturers of Tylenol and other similar drugs have taken little-to-no measures to warn expecting mothers of the risks associated with exposing their unborn children to larger amounts of acetaminophen.
Because over half of expecting mothers have been shown to consume acetaminophen for pain relief or to reduce fever while pregnant, expecting mothers and other consumers must be made aware of these risks. This is especially true because acetaminophen is not only the main ingredient in Tylenol, but is also present is hundreds of other commonly-used drugs, such as NyQuil, DayQuil, Excedrin, Alka-Seltzer Plus, Mucinex, Robitussin, and many, many more. If you are an expecting mother or know one, be sure to consult your doctor to know how much or how often pain-relief drugs like Tylenol should be taken.
Can I sue?
Throughout the United States, lawsuits have been initiated against drug manufacturers, like Johnson & Johnson, and distributors, like CVS and Walgreens, for their negligence in failing to warn consumers.
If you or a loved one has taken the pain-reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol and Paracetamol) during pregnancy and your child later developed complications falling within the autism spectrum disorder, please do not hesitate to contact us today. We know how painful it must be to know your child suffered the consequences of acetaminophen before it was even born, and we will do everything we can to hold negligent parties responsible and to prevent future injuries.
Litigation against distributors and drug manufacturers can be very complicated, and it is therefore important you have experienced Houston personal injury attorneys by your side to guide you through the claim and litigation process. At Ramsey Law Group, we have experience with winning similar cases, and we will fight to hold all negligent parties accountable, so you can get the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling us at (888) 335-7477 or submitting a request form directly online.
