The following is from Children’s Health Defense.

Internal emails and documents reveal that both Johnson & Johnson — the original maker of Tylenol — and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were aware for years of concerns over a potential link between the drug and autism.

The evidence emerged from documents obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation and released as part of a federal class action lawsuit against Kenvue, which took over Tylenol production in 2023. Johnson & Johnson had previously made the drug for decades.

As far back as 2008, Johnson & Johnson employees expressed concern about the growing body of studies pointing to a link between prenatal use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD. The FDA is now reportedly adding warnings to products containing acetaminophen.

“The weight of evidence is starting to feel heavy to me.”
— Rachel Weinstein, US director of epidemiology, Janssen (a Johnson & Johnson division)

In addition to the emails, a 2018 internal presentation marked “privileged and confidential” acknowledged a “somewhat consistent” association between Tylenol use during pregnancy and neurological issues in children. Despite this, the company chose not to fund further studies — fearing their research might confirm the risk. “Sticking their necks out” by funding further research was considered too risky internally, according to reporting by the Daily Caller.

The FDA itself also showed concern in documents obtained via FOIA. A 2019 meta-analysis by FDA scientists linked the drug to urogenital and neurodevelopmental risks. In 2022, another internal analysis focused on ADHD. Though portions of the 2022 recommendation were redacted, scientists reportedly urged caution for pregnant women.

“The onus to warn does not arise when there is a clear cause and effect. It arises when there are grounds to think there might be a problem.”
— David Healy, psychiatrist and expert witness in ongoing litigation

Meanwhile, public health officials and some scientists quoted by mainstream media have attempted to downplay the concerns — despite earlier research from the same scientists calling for stronger warnings. Kenvue continues to deny any causal link and insists its products are safe when used as directed.

The company also tracked public sentiment from 2020 through 2023, conducting “social listening” to monitor online conversations about Tylenol and autism. A 2023 internal review, titled Project Cocoon, acknowledged growing concerns about neurological and urogenital side effects in infants.

“The makers of Tylenol have closely tracked a drumbeat of scientific publications finding an association between taking the blockbuster drug in pregnancy and infancy and autism risk.”
— Emily Kopp, journalist, Daily Caller News Foundation

The revelations come as lawsuits mount and public pressure increases on federal health agencies and pharmaceutical companies to fully disclose what they’ve known — and when.

For more information, read the full article here.