Kenvue Stock Plummets as White House Report Links Tylenol to Autism Risk

Pharmaceutical giant Kenvue faces market turmoil after explosive White House findings connect popular pain reliever to developmental disorders.

Market Reaction

Shares cratered 18% in pre-market trading as investors scrambled to assess liability exposure. The sell-off wiped out $12 billion in market capitalization within hours—proof that even established healthcare stocks aren't immune to regulatory shockwaves.

Regulatory Fallout

The report threatens to trigger mass litigation and FDA scrutiny across the entire OTC medication sector. Analysts predict restructuring of product labeling and potential class-action lawsuits that could drain pharmaceutical cash reserves for years.

Broader Implications

Healthcare ETFs saw collateral damage while crypto volatility remained curiously stable—because decentralized assets don't get subpoenaed for hiding side effects. Sometimes the most disruptive technology is simply not being tied to legacy liability structures.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Shares of Tylenol maker Kenvue are dropping in morning trading Monday on a report that the White House is expected to make an announcement Monday linking pregnant women’s use of the painkiller to autism.
• According to The Washington Post, Trump administration officials plan to unveil that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, can lead to a higher risk of autism and will warn pregnant women against using the medication unless they have a fever.
• Kenvue said that scientific studies showed that there was no link between acetaminophen and autism.

Shares of Tylenol Maker Kenvue (KVUE) are dropping in morning trading on a report that the White House is expected to make an announcement Monday linking pregnant women's use of the painkiller to increased risk of autism.

According to The Washington Post, TRUMP administration officials plan to unveil that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, can lead to higher risk of autism and will warn pregnant women against using the medication unless they have a fever. The report cited four people with knowledge of the plans for the announcement plan. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  has previously been widely reported as planning to unveil that the use of Tylenol during pregnancy may be one of several causes of autism.

Kenvue said that scientific studies showed that there was no LINK between acetaminophen and autism.

“We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism,” a Kenvue spokesperson said in response for comment. “We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers.”

The Washington Post report also said that the officials will also say that leucovorin, a lesser-known drug, can act as a potential autism treatment. The drug is usually used to counteract side effects of some medications and to treat vitamin B9 deficiency.

Kenvue shares are falling 5% in morning trading and have lost 19% of their value this year. The WHITE House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.