Tylenol, a beloved American pain reliever, boasts a 70-year legacy and is used by tens of millions. Its parent company, Kenvue, however, is a mere two years old and largely unknown to the public. Yet, it finds itself at the center of a burgeoning public relations nightmare.
The controversy ignited recently when President Trump made extraordinary remarks, offering direct medical advice and repeatedly stating, “If you’re pregnant, don’t take Tylenol.” He alleged an unproven connection between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. Following his statements, Trump administration officials indicated plans to update the drug’s label and advise doctors against its routine use for fevers in pregnant women.
This isn’t Tylenol’s first crisis. In the 1980s, the brand became a case study in crisis management after product tampering led to seven deaths, causing widespread panic. Johnson & Johnson, Tylenol’s then-manufacturer, successfully navigated that traumatic period, restoring faith in its long-standing product.
However, in 2023, Johnson & Johnson spun off Tylenol and other consumer brands, including Band-Aid, Listerine, Neutrogena, and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, into the new entity Kenvue, headquartered in Summit, N.J., to focus on more profitable medical businesses. The image above shows Kenvue’s logo displayed at the New York Stock Exchange during its 2023 debut.
Public scrutiny on Tylenol resurfaced this month when reports emerged about the Trump administration’s intention to release a report linking prenatal Tylenol use to autism. This news sent Kenvue’s stock plummeting by 17 percent, closing down 7 percent on the day of the President’s remarks.
In response, Melissa Witt, a Kenvue spokeswoman, issued a statement asserting, “we believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism.” She emphasized the company’s strong disagreement with any opposing suggestions and expressed deep concern over the potential health risks such misinformation poses to expecting mothers and parents. Despite years of research, studies have yet to establish a causal link between Tylenol use in pregnant women and autism.
Kenvue actively tried to prevent the announcement and reassure consumers. Kirk Perry, the interim chief executive, met with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation’s health secretary, to present scientific evidence against the autism link and highlight Tylenol’s role as a safe option for fever relief during pregnancy. Kenvue confirmed this “scientific exchange” with the Secretary’s office. The company also updated its website’s FAQ section, directly addressing consumer worries about acetaminophen and autism.
Acetaminophen, Tylenol’s active ingredient, is found in approximately 600 products. Nearly a quarter of all U.S. adults use an acetaminophen-containing medicine weekly. Even with extensive generic competition, Tylenol reportedly contributes around $1 billion to Kenvue’s annual sales, making any threat to the product a significant concern for the company’s financial performance, as noted by Morningstar analyst Keonhee Kim. The image below shows David Clare, former president of Johnson & Johnson, testifying before the Senate in 1986 during the Tylenol poisonings, an event that became a classic example of corporate crisis management.
Adding to Kenvue’s woes, the company faces lawsuits from families claiming their children developed autism or ADHD due to prenatal Tylenol exposure. Although a federal judge dismissed these claims for lack of reliable scientific evidence, the families are currently appealing the decision. Beyond the Tylenol controversy, Kenvue has been struggling with overall sales. Its CEO, Thibaut Mongon, was replaced by Kirk Perry in July, and activist investors have recently pressured the company for a potential acquisition or divestment of business lines.
Acetaminophen’s pain-relieving and fever-reducing properties were discovered in the late 1940s. Seeing an opportunity as aspirin’s safety risks became apparent, McNeil Laboratories launched Elixir Tylenol for children in 1955, marketed in distinctive cartoon fire engine packaging. Johnson & Johnson acquired McNeil in 1959, and Tylenol became an over-the-counter medication the following year.
Over its history, Tylenol has faced various challenges, including product recalls for quality control and medical debates over its known side effects, such as liver damage at high doses. A 2013 ProPublica investigation also revealed that Johnson & Johnson’s McNeil unit had “repeatedly fought against safety warnings, dosage restrictions and other measures meant to safeguard users of the drug” for decades. The company maintains it always prioritized patient safety.
The gravest threat, however, occurred in 1982 when cyanide-laced Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules led to seven deaths in Chicago. While no one was charged with the murders, one suspect was convicted of extortion. Johnson & Johnson’s swift response—a nationwide recall and the introduction of tamper-resistant packaging—helped rebuild public trust, an incident so impactful it inspired a recent Netflix true-crime series, ‘Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders.’