Case type Dangerous Drugs & Pharmaceutical Liability
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy
Took acetaminophen while pregnant and have a child with autism or ADHD? Tell us your story.
CBW Law reviews questions from families about acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy. The science is disputed, and we will tell you plainly what the courts have decided. Tell Us Your Story. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Acetaminophen, sold as Tylenol and in many store brands, is widely used for pain and fever in pregnancy. In September 2025 FDA began a label change and told doctors about a possible association between prenatal use and autism and ADHD, while stating that a causal relationship has not been established1. A large sibling study found no link once family factors were accounted for2. The federal court handling these cases excluded the plaintiffs' key experts. A Tylenol attorney can explain what that means for a family today.
What FDA said in 2025
On Sept. 22, 2025, FDA said it was starting the process for a label change for acetaminophen and sending a notice to physicians about a possible association with neurological conditions such as autism and ADHD1. In the same release FDA said1:
- A causal relationship has not been established, and there are contrary studies
- Acetaminophen is the only over-the-counter drug approved to treat fever in pregnancy
- High fevers in pregnancy can pose a risk to children
- It remains reasonable for pregnant women to use acetaminophen in certain situations
What the studies show
Some cohort studies, including ones FDA cited, reported an association between prenatal acetaminophen and autism or ADHD, with some suggesting higher risk with long-term use1. Other research points the other way:
- A Swedish study of about 2.5 million children found small associations in standard models, but none when siblings were compared (hazard ratio 0.98 for both autism and ADHD). The authors said earlier associations may reflect family factors rather than the drug2.
Put simply, scientists disagree. No source we rely on says prenatal acetaminophen has been proven to cause autism or ADHD.
Where the acetaminophen lawsuits stand
Federal cases were coordinated in the Southern District of New York before Judge Denise Cote as MDL No. 3043, created in October 2022. The plaintiffs claim children developed autism and/or ADHD from exposure before birth3.
Key rulings in MDL 3043
Without expert testimony on causation, federal cases generally cannot go forward. FDA's 2025 notice came after these rulings. Whether it changes anything in court is an open legal question. A Tylenol lawyer can tell you how courts in your state treat this evidence.
Who may have questions worth reviewing
- How often and for how long acetaminophen was taken, and in which trimester
- Why it was taken: fever, pain or something else
- The child's diagnosis, who made it and when
- Other known factors in the family's or the pregnancy's history
- Your state, which affects both the law and the deadlines
We will be honest about the court rulings. A review does not promise a case can be filed.
Who may be responsible
An investigation would look at the companies that made and sold the specific product used. Whether anyone can be held responsible depends on the science and on how courts treat it.
Filing deadlines for acetaminophen lawsuits
Deadlines depend on your state and on when you learned of the injury and its possible cause. Examples:
- Arizona: generally two years for personal injury and wrongful death5.
- California: two years for injury to or death of a person caused by another's wrongful act or neglect6.
- New York: three years for personal injury7, with a separate rule that runs from discovery for injuries caused by the latent effects of exposure to a substance in the body8.
- Texas: two years for personal injury and wrongful death9, and most product liability claims must be brought within 15 years of the product's sale, with an exception for certain latent diseases10.
Deadlines for claims about injuries to children can run differently, and a parent's own claim can have a different deadline from the child's. Ask a Tylenol attorney to check the rules for your state.
Records that help an acetaminophen review
Records worth gathering
Pregnancy
- Prenatal records listing medicines
- Notes on fevers or pain
- Pharmacy or store records
Child
- Diagnostic evaluation
- Developmental or school assessments
- Therapy records
Family
- Family medical history you know of
- Other children's diagnoses if relevant
- Insurance statements
What happens after you contact CBW Law
How a review works
-
Tell us what happened
Share what you remember about the pregnancy and your child's diagnosis. You do not need every record first.
-
We explain the rulings
We tell you plainly what the courts have decided and how it applies to your state.
-
We gather records
With your permission, we request pharmacy, medical and billing records from the places that treated you.
-
We explain what we see
We tell you what the records show, what questions remain and what options may be open, including deadlines.
No parent is at fault for treating pain or fever in pregnancy. Whether a legal claim exists depends on unsettled science and on the courts.
Plain English
Medical, Health & Insurance
Terms you may see in an acetaminophen case.
Drug terms
- Acetaminophen
- A pain and fever reducer sold as Tylenol and store brands.
- Prenatal exposure
- A medicine taken during pregnancy.
Study terms
- Association
- Two things occurring together more often than expected; not proof one causes the other.
- Sibling-control study
- A study comparing brothers and sisters to account for shared family factors2.
- Confounding
- When a third factor explains a link.
Diagnosis and support
- Autism spectrum disorder
- A developmental condition affecting communication and behavior.
- ADHD
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
- Early intervention
- State programs for young children with developmental delays.
Questions
Acetaminophen lawsuit questions
Short answers to the questions people ask first.
Is there a Tylenol autism lawsuit?
Federal cases were coordinated in MDL No. 3043, but the court excluded the plaintiffs' expert opinions in 2023 and 2024. A Tylenol lawyer can explain where things stand in your state.
Did FDA say Tylenol causes autism?
No. FDA said a causal relationship has not been established and that there are contrary studies.
Should I avoid acetaminophen while pregnant?
Ask your doctor. FDA said it remains reasonable to use it in certain situations, and high fevers can harm a pregnancy.
Does the 2025 FDA notice revive the lawsuits?
That is an open legal question. A Tylenol attorney can tell you how courts are treating it.
Does store-brand acetaminophen count?
The same drug is sold under many brand and store names. A Tylenol lawyer will ask which products you used.
Is this a class action?
No. MDL No. 3043 coordinated individual cases.
How long do I have to file an acetaminophen lawsuit?
Rules for claims about children can differ from adult claims. Ask about your state early.
Am I to blame for my child's diagnosis?
No. Taking a medicine many doctors recommend for pain or fever is not a parent's fault.
What records matter most?
Prenatal records showing acetaminophen use and the child's diagnostic evaluation.
What does it cost to contact CBW Law?
Telling us your story costs nothing, and contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Tell Us Your Story
If you have questions about acetaminophen in pregnancy and your child's diagnosis, a Tylenol attorney can give you a straight answer about where the law stands.
Tell us what happened. CBW Law will review your information and explain what we see. Submitting information does not establish an attorney-client relationship or guarantee representation.
Tell Us Your Story Call (800) 476-2416
This page is general information about acetaminophen use during pregnancy. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It does not state that acetaminophen causes autism or ADHD; FDA has said a causal relationship has not been established. Ask a doctor before taking or avoiding any medicine in pregnancy. Federal courts have excluded the plaintiffs' causation experts. Laws and deadlines differ by state, and no outcome can be promised.