Core Viewpoint - Texas officials are seeking a temporary court order to prevent Kenvue Inc. from marketing Tylenol as safe for pregnant women and from issuing dividends, amid ongoing legal challenges related to the drug's alleged links to autism and other disorders [1][2][7]. Group 1: Legal Actions and Implications - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is pursuing legal action against Kenvue and its former parent company, Johnson & Johnson, claiming they concealed potential risks associated with acetaminophen during pregnancy [2][4]. - Kenvue has responded by stating that the claims linking Tylenol to autism are unsupported by scientific evidence and that untreated pain during pregnancy poses its own risks [3][4]. - The Texas motion argues that any dividends paid by Kenvue could violate state law by moving assets to avoid fulfilling obligations, potentially harming creditors, including the State of Texas [5][6]. Group 2: Corporate Developments - Kimberly-Clark Corp. has announced plans to acquire Kenvue for approximately $40 billion, despite the ongoing legal issues surrounding Tylenol [4][8]. - Analysts have indicated that investors may be cautious about the acquisition due to the mounting legal challenges faced by Kenvue [4].

Core Viewpoint - Robert F. Kennedy Jr has raised concerns about a potential link between Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy and autism, while manufacturers Kenvue and Johnson & Johnson deny such a connection [3][4] Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The FDA is set to notify physicians about the increased risk of autism associated with acetaminophen use during pregnancy and will initiate a safety label change [4] - New guidelines will recommend healthcare providers to suggest the "lowest effective dose" of acetaminophen during pregnancy [4] Group 2: Legal Issues - Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue are facing numerous lawsuits from parents claiming acetaminophen use during pregnancy led to autism and/or ADHD [5] - By 2023, there were 265 cases filed against the drug manufacturers, with the number doubling by 2024, although most cases were dismissed [5] - A major federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) is ongoing, focusing on failure-to-warn claims under state laws [5] Group 3: Public Reaction and Political Context - The public response includes outrage over questioning the science behind acetaminophen safety, with some individuals publicly consuming the drug as a form of defiance [3][4] - The health sector is becoming increasingly politicized, with the U.S. health department advocating for consumer transparency from pharmaceutical companies [6]