Safer than Tylenol? Florida sues Planned Parenthood over abortion pill messaging

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is suing Planned Parenthood, accusing the group of “lying to” women about the safety of abortion medication.

The lawsuit marks at least the second time that Uthmeier has used his office to go after mifepristone, one of the medications used by doctors providing abortions.

Earlier this year, Uthmeier moved to join a lawsuit challenging the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to ease restrictions on mifepristone.

The lawsuit filed by Uthmeier’s office Thursday takes issue with Planned Parenthood’s marketing, which says that abortion medication is “safer than Tylenol.”

Florida is suing the nationwide Planned Parenthood, Florida’s Planned Parenthood organization and the national and state Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the groups’ political wing.

His office argues that mifepristone and misoprostol, which are used to provide abortions, can result in hemorrhaging and the need for emergency medical attention.

The FDA says mifepristone is safe and was approved 25 years ago based on a “thorough and comprehensive review of the scientific evidence.” The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists says the drug is safe and that complications are “exceedingly rare.”

Under U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and at the urging of Republican attorneys general, the federal administration is reviewing the safety of mifepristone again.

Uthmeier’s lawsuit argues that Planned Parenthood uses medication abortion as a “cash cow,” saying that Planned Parenthood charges an average of $580 for a medication abortion but gets pills at a low cost.

“It is vile that Planned Parenthood cares more about lining their pockets than providing women with factual information about the health risks of chemical abortion drugs,” Uthmeier said in a statement.

Alexandra Mandado, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Florida, called the state’s lawsuit a “politically motivated attack” and an “attempt to erode access to all abortion care.” “Lawsuits like this are part of an effort to sow confusion and attack Planned Parenthood for the care we provide,” Mandado said in a statement. “We look forward to our day in court.”

The lawsuit makes a broad anti-abortion statement, saying that elective abortions, whether surgical or medical, are “unethical practices that violate the Hippocratic Oath and deny the inalienable rights of all human beings.”

Florida is challenging Planned Parenthood under both the state’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, arguing the clinics’ campaign deceived consumers, and its anti-racketeering law.

The state is asking a judge to fine Planned Parenthood $10,000 for each medication abortion provided by Florida Planned Parenthood since the “safer than Tylenol” language was posted in June 2023. The attorney general’s office estimates that fee to reach $350 million.

Uthmeier is also asking a judge to consider taking additional steps such as ordering Planned Parenthood to give up real estate, prohibiting it from providing abortion medication, ordering Planned Parenthood’s dissolution and suspending its licenses to do business in Florida.

Planned Parenthood is headquartered in New York. Planned Parenthood of Florida is headquartered in West Palm Beach.

Uthmeier’s office filed the lawsuit in Santa Rosa County in Florida’s Panhandle. Though the webpage with the “safer than Tylenol” language can be seen statewide, the lawsuit focuses on users in Santa Rosa County.

There is no Planned Parenthood location in Santa Rosa County. The nearest location is in Tallahassee.

Florida restricts most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy and requires anyone wanting abortion medication to see a doctor in person. In 2022, nearly 57% of abortions performed in Florida were done using medication, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite Florida’s law, doctors in states that have “shield laws” to protect providers from criminal and civil litigation do send abortion medication through the mail.

This story was originally published November 6, 2025 at 6:22 PM.