Medications containing Acetaminophen are one of the most commonly used pain relievers worldwide. The chemical compound is an active ingredient in over 600 medicines. For most people, Acetaminophen is benign and can be used to treat and eliminate symptoms of headaches, fevers, and other pains. While federal regulators and medical professionals have long touted the benefits and safety of the medication during pregnancy, recent research indicates that children born to women who took Acetaminophen while pregnant may have a greater chance of being diagnosed with autism or ADHD. There are also links between Acetaminophen use for newborn babies and autism/ADHD.

The manufacturers of Acetaminophen have a duty to inform pregnant mothers of the risks their product could have on unborn children. However, manufacturers may have failed to include sufficient warnings allowing mothers to make an informed decision about their own healthcare and the impact it could have on their children. If you have a child who was diagnosed with ADHD or autism and you took Acetaminophen while pregnant, you may be eligible for compensation through an Acetaminophen lawsuit. Click here to learn more about how you can pursue compensation when you’ve been injured by dangerous consumer products, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals.

Is There a Link Between Acetaminophen and Autism & ADHD?

Following a case-control study that identified a potential relationship between aspirin and Reye syndrome, health professionals began recommending Acetaminophen as an acceptable pain reliever for pregnant women.[1] Those studies revealed that women who took NSAIDs and opioid medication were more likely to have babies with certain congenital disabilities than those who took Acetaminophen. However, as research emerges regarding the effect of Acetaminophen on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism, many are calling into question the safety and efficacy of this common pain killer.

Studies indicate that those who had prolonged exposure to Acetaminophen in the womb are at a higher risk of developing autism and ADHD. However, citing the studies' limitations, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has yet to make a formal recommendation regarding acetaminophen use during pregnancy.[2]

Does Acetaminophen Cause Prenatal Harm?

Research to understand how Acetaminophen may cause prenatal harm focuses on three primary areas of fetal development: neurological, reproductive, and urogenital. Acetaminophen is classified as an endocrine disruptor, and as such, it can impede the body’s ability to distribute bodily chemicals and hormones that are key for a fetus’s development.[3]

However, the difficulty in ascertaining the exact amounts of in-utero exposure has hindered researchers from understanding the precise mechanism by which Acetaminophen might interfere with these critical biological processes. However, some research indicates that the medicine may affect how effective certain reproductive organs operate later in life. Further, a similar association was found between the medication and neurodevelopment.

The Connection Between Autism and ADHD

Although Autism and ADHD often coincide and maintain some shared causation, imaging studies have yielded mixed results regarding similarities and differences. Those who exhibit traits of both diagnoses often face more complex challenges than those without dual diagnoses.

The core distinctions between each condition involve social communication impairments and repetitive behaviors for autism; and hyperactivity and impulsivity, or a combination, for ADHD. However, both conditions can lead to speech and language delays, increased sensory sensitivities, and challenges regulation of emotions. While many diagnosed with these conditions can go on to live fulfilling lives, others face significant lifelong challenges.[4]

Scientific Studies Linking Acetaminophen and Autism & ADHD

Significant evidence continues to emerge focusing on the association between Acetaminophen and ADHD.

The University of California, Los Angeles Pediatric Study on Acetaminophen and ADHD

A 2014 UCLA study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that babies born to women who used Acetaminophen were 13% to 37% more likely to receive a hyperactive disorder, be treated with ADHD medications, or exhibit ADHD behaviors.[5]

Journal of Internal Medical Research Study on Acetaminophen and Brain Injury

A 2017 study by researchers at various departments at Duke University Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, and the University of Colorado, Boulder, found that autism may stem from an acetaminophen-induced brain injury. [6]

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Pediatric Study on Acetaminophen and ADHD

A 2019 study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that children whose cord blood contained high levels of Acetaminophen were 3.5 times more likely to have autism than children with low medicine levels. Further, the study found that children with the highest levels of Acetaminophen were almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.[7]

Researchers explain that despite the consistent associations, it is too early to conclusively state that Acetaminophen causes these conditions and disorders. However, personal injury lawyers are actively investigating the connection between Acetaminophen and autism/ADHD on behalf of parents to determine their potential legal options.

Acetaminophen Lawsuits

As evidence grows regarding the potential link between Acetaminophen and neurological conditions, many are looking for recourse against makers and sellers of this medication. Currently, there are approximately 19 acetaminophen injury lawsuits nationwide, each raising similar claims that pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies failed to warn consumers about the risks of prenatal exposure to Acetaminophen.

Parents interested in learning more about the potentially harmful effects of Acetaminophen during pregnancy or the first few months of life should contact an experienced product liability attorney for further assistance.

[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2704111/

[2] https://hub.jhu.edu/2019/11/05/acetaminophen-pregnancy-autism-adhd/

[3]https://www.statnews.com/2021/09/23/new-research-cautions-about-possible-risks-of-acetaminophen-use-during-pregnancy/

[4] https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/decoding-overlap-autism-adhd/

[5] https://www.uclahealth.org/news/use-of-acetaminophen-during-pregnancy-linked-to-adhd

[6] https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/34492259

[7] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2753512