For several decades, Tylenol and other acetaminophen products have been considered one of the safest-to-use products. Yet, recent studies have shown that pregnant women should avoid consuming this drug. In these studies, a link between acetaminophen and neurological disorders has been identified.
While a doctor may tell you that it is usually safe to take Tylenol while pregnant, you do not want to accept this advice blindly. Instead, read this article exploring the risks of taking Tylenol while pregnant.
What is Tylenol?
Tylenol is a consumer drug called acetaminophen. There are generic versions of the drug available, but Tylenol is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson. Acetaminophen works by altering the way that the human body processes pain. It also cools your body. Therefore, the medicine works great for pain relief and fever reduction in most individuals.
How is Tylenol Used?
Tylenol is routinely used to provide relief from moderate pain associated with various conditions. Some problems that can be resolved with Tylenol include headaches, menstruation pain, common cold symptoms, sore throats, back pain, tooth pain, muscle aches, and more. If you have a fever, Tylenol could help reduce that issue as well.
How Safe is Acetaminophen?
There are risks to using any drug, including acetaminophen. The FDA stated that severe pain that goes untreated during pregnancy can cause anxiety, depression, and even high blood pressure in mothers. Therefore, an argument could be made that taking Tylenol could be a good idea if it will reduce these symptoms.
Yet, the risks associated with this drug as a pregnant woman are now coming to light. Now the FDA is stating that the risk must be carefully weighed against the benefits of using such medicines. One such risk is that acetaminophen may be hard for a pregnant person and their fetus to process. The medicine has also been connected to genital malformations.
Beyond these risks, some research suggests that acetaminophen is connected to higher risks of giving birth to a child with ADHD and autism. However, the FDA has claimed that these studies and their associated data are inconclusive.
So, what does that mean?
Well, mothers are expected to weigh the risks themselves and make an informed decision about taking acetaminophen. But what about mothers who were not aware that risks could even exist? They took this medicine while pregnant, likely under guidance from a medical professional, and now their children have developed neurological conditions or other disorders. For some, the only recourse is filing a Tylenol lawsuit with the help of a personal injury lawyer.
Are Tylenol Manufacturers Being Sued?
At the moment, the manufacturers of Tylenol are not being sued. Instead, the companies that sell Tylenol are facing lawsuits. There are many reasons for this, some suspect that the distributors and retail outlets are easier targets for the suit. Assuming that the attorneys hope to win a settlement as fast as possible, aiming for these companies makes more sense than aiming at the manufacturers.
Yet, some lawyers even suggest that there could be millions of lawsuits against Tylenol manufacturers and retail outlets that sold similar products in the near future. This is because there are millions of people who have been born with autism, many of which were born to mothers who took acetaminophen while pregnant. Although it may take some time for these cases to settle or reach a verdict, there is no reason not to file a claim today if you feel you could have been affected.
Get in Touch with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Millions may have been negatively impacted by Tylenol and generic acetaminophen products. Remember, if you or a loved one took acetaminophen in high doses or frequently while pregnant, you could be entitled to compensation if your child developed autism or ADHD. While it is not immediately clear whether these cases will be successful, the future is bright for victims. More evidence is emerging that shows the correlation between acetaminophen and these disorders.
So, have a lawyer assess your claim today. They will work with you to determine whether you have a valid claim, then guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit. With luck, you will get the compensation you need to support your family.
To get in touch with a lawyer soon, call our office at (267) 457-5570, or use the contact form on this page.