'Paracetamol and autism': Trump's claim makes Kenvue's shares fall
Photo: US President Donald Trump (GettyImages)
US President Donald Trump claimed a link between acetaminophen and autism. This caused Kenvue’s stock, the pharmaceutical company that produces the Tylenol painkiller, to drop, the Financial Times reports.
According to the media outlet, Kenvue shares fell 7% to their lowest level since the company was separated from its parent, Johnson & Johnson. Tylenol holds a significant share of the US acetaminophen market and is the most well-known brand of the drug in the country.
Earlier, Trump stated that pregnant women and infants should not take Tylenol.
Trump said that people should not take it unless absolutely necessary and that they should make every effort to avoid using it.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated a process to update acetaminophen labeling, including a warning about a possible increased risk of autism and attention disorders. The regulator sent a recommendation letter to doctors advising limiting acetaminophen use during pregnancy for minor fever treatment.
At the same time, Nature writes that studies do not confirm a link between acetaminophen and autism. Even if such a link exists, it is minimal and does not mean the drug causes autism.
Kenvue also stated that Tylenol is not linked to autism.
"We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen (the US name for paracetamol - ed.) does not cause autism. Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy," the company said.
