https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/11/judge-smacks-down-texas-ags-request-to-immediately-block-tylenol-ads/ Skip to content Ars Technica home Sections Forum Subscribe Search * AI * Biz & IT * Cars * Culture * Gaming * Health * Policy * Science * Security * Space * Tech * Feature * Reviews * AI * Biz & IT * Cars * Culture * Gaming * Health * Policy * Science * Security * Space * Tech Forum Subscribe Story text Size [Standard] Width * [Standard] Links [Standard] * Subscribers only Learn more Pin to story Theme * HyperLight * Day & Night * Dark * System Search dialog... Sign In Sign in dialog... Sign in Rough start Judge smacks down Texas AG's request to immediately block Tylenol ads The Texas lawsuit hinges on the unproven claim that Tylenol causes autism. Beth Mole - Nov 17, 2025 2:50 pm | 102 [GettyImages-2236511159-640x400] [GettyImages-2236511159-1152x648] Tylenol packages are seen in a pharmacy in Houston, Texas, on September 23, 2025. Credit: Getty | RONALDO SCHEMIDT Tylenol packages are seen in a pharmacy in Houston, Texas, on September 23, 2025. Credit: Getty | RONALDO SCHEMIDT Text settings Story text Size [Standard] Width * [Standard] Links [Standard] * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav A Texas Judge has rejected a request from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to issue a temporary order barring Tylenol's maker, Kenvue, from claiming amid litigation that the pain and fever medication is safe for pregnant women and children, according to court documents. In records filed Friday, District Judge LeAnn Rafferty, in Panola County, also rejected Paxton's unusual request to block Kenvue from distributing $400 million in dividends to shareholders later this month. The denials are early losses for Paxton in a politically charged case that hinges on the unproven claim that Tylenol causes autism and other disorders--a claim first introduced by President Trump and his anti-vaccine health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In a bizarre press conference in September, Trump implored Americans repeatedly not to take the drug. But, scientific studies have not shown that Tylenol (acetaminophen) causes autism or other neurologic disorders. Some studies have claimed to find an association between Tylenol use and autism, but the studies have significant flaws, and others have found no link. Moreover, Tylenol is considered the safest pain and fever drug for use during pregnancy, and untreated pain and fevers in pregnancy are known to cause harms, including an increased risk of autism. Still, Paxton filed the lawsuit October 28, claiming that Kenvue and Tylenol's former parent company, Johnson & Johnson, deceptively marketed Tylenol as safe while knowing of an increased risk of autism and other disorders. The lawsuit sought to force Kenvue to change the way it markets Tylenol and pay fines, among other requests. As a first step, the attorney general--who is running to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next year's Republican primary--attempted to get the judge to temporarily bar some of Tylenol's safety claims and stop Kenvue from paying the dividends. He failed on both accounts. Paxton made the request to stop the dividends under a state law that can keep companies on the brink of financial ruin from giving out funds that could otherwise be reserved for creditors, such as those suing the company over claims that Tylenol caused autism or other harms. Kenvue is facing a number of such lawsuits in the wake of Trump's announcement. But, even the state's lawyers acknowledged that Paxton's request to block dividends was "extraordinary," according to The Texas Tribune. According to Reuters, one of Kenvue's lawyers, Kim Bueno, explained that the problem with the state of Texas making this request is that Kenvue is based in New Jersey and incorporated in Delaware. "There was no jurisdiction to challenge that," she said. Rafferty determined that she did not have jurisdiction over the dividend claim. She also denied the marketing claim, which even the Trump administration is not standing by. The day after Paxton filed his lawsuit, Kennedy said that "the causative association... between Tylenol given in pregnancy and the perinatal periods is not sufficient to say it definitely causes autism." Though, he called some studies "very suggestive." Photo of Beth Mole Beth Mole Senior Health Reporter Beth Mole Senior Health Reporter Beth is Ars Technica's Senior Health Reporter. Beth has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the Science Communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She specializes in covering infectious diseases, public health, and microbes. 102 Comments Comments Forum view Loading Loading comments... Prev story Next story Most Read 1. Listing image for first story in Most Read: I've already been using a "Steam Machine" for months, and I think it's great 1. I've already been using a "Steam Machine" for months, and I think it's great 2. 2. When recreating a famous SUV stunt in China goes wrong 3. 3. US spy satellites built by SpaceX send signals in the "wrong direction" 4. 4. After last week's stunning landing, here's what comes next for Blue Origin 5. 5. Cities: Skylines upheaval: Developer and publisher announce "mutual" breakup Customize Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don't need to know everything, only what's important. More from Ars * About Us * Staff Directory * Ars Newsletters * General FAQ * Posting Guidelines * RSS Feeds Contact * Contact us * Advertise with us * Reprints Manage Preferences (c) 2025 Conde Nast. All rights reserved. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Ars Technica Addendum and Your California Privacy Rights. Ars Technica may earn compensation on sales from links on this site. Read our affiliate link policy. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Conde Nast. Ad Choices