Shares of Kenvue, the manufacturer of Tylenol (acetaminophen/paracetamol), fell nearly 10% on Friday following reports that U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may soon release a federal report suggesting a potential link between prenatal Tylenol use and autism. The Wall Street Journal reported that the long-awaited autism study, expected this month, could recommend specific folate treatments while highlighting concerns about acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy.

Kenvue vehemently denied the alleged connection, stating: “We have continuously evaluated the science and continue to believe there is no causal link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism.” The company emphasized that leading medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), support the safety of acetaminophen when used as directed.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cautioned that speculation about the report’s contents is premature, noting it employs “gold-standard science” to address rising autism rates. Acetaminophen remains the most commonly recommended pain reliever for pregnant women, as alternatives like ibuprofen carry established risks during pregnancy.

Kenvue faces ongoing lawsuits alleging ties between its product and neurodevelopmental disorders, though no conclusive scientific consensus supports these claims. Researchers note that untreated pain or fever during pregnancy also poses significant risks to fetal development, complicating any assessment of medication-related harms.

The market reaction underscores the sensitivity of public health communications and the economic impact of regulatory uncertainty. Investors will closely monitor the official release of the federal report, which could reshape medical guidelines and influence consumer behavior despite current professional endorsements of acetaminophen’s safety.

Source: BBC