Kenvue Stock Hits One-Year Low After Report Says HHS Will Link Tylenol Use In Pregnancy To Autism Risk

Tylenol maker Kenvue (KVUE) dropped to a one-year low in afternoon trade on Friday after reports surfaced that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. intends to link prenatal use of the drug to autism.

Kenvue’s stock tumbled more than 13% to $17.77, its lowest level since July 2024. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around the company fell into ‘bearish’ territory from ‘neutral’ over the past day. Friday’s drop brings Kenvue’s year-to-date loss to over 17%. The stock has fallen 21% over the past 12 months.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is likely to release its findings later this month. The upcoming Health Department report is expected to link autism risk to low folate levels and Tylenol use during pregnancy, people familiar with the matter told the publication.

Tylenol is made by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of Kenvue, though other companies also sell acetaminophen-based products. The active ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen, which is widely used as a pain reliever, including by pregnant women. 

The report said that research on its impact during pregnancy has produced mixed results. It cited that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists found Tylenol to be safe for use during pregnancy. However, it advises women to consult with their doctors before taking any medication.

Kennedy, meanwhile, has long promised to reveal the cause of autism. “By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic,” he said during an April cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump.

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