FDA Recommends Reduced Acetaminophen Dose
Liver Failure Can Result From Intentional and Unintentional Overdose
Jun 30, 2009
Acetaminophen is the most widely used pain medication in the U.S. It is most commonly known here as Tylenol ®. The FDA vote came about as the result of an increasing number of cases of liver failure and over 100 deaths annually from either intentional or unintentional overdoses involving acetaminophen.
Hepatic (liver) experts are supporting the FDA recommendations. Doctors reported having cared for many patients who unintentionally caused severe liver damage from taking too much acetaminophen to the point that they were not eligible for liver transplants and subsequently died from liver failure.
Prescription and OTC Medications Contain Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is also found in other medications such as prescription pain medications Vicodin, Darvocet, and Percocet. It is also found in over the counter (OTC) cough, cold and flu medications as well as some combination pain relievers. Without reading the labels and understanding the ingredients listed, too many people take an OTC cold medication containing acetaminophen and take additional Tylenol® for fever and aches and pains. Or they may use acetaminophen in between doses of Vicodin to achieve pain control.
Maximum Dose Should be Lowered
The current maximum dose of acetaminophen is 1000 mg. every 4-6 hours with a maximum 4000 mg. in a 24 hour period. The FDA is urging this be reduced significantly and that any acetaminophen product containing 1000 mg. be placed on a prescription basis for increased regulation and protection.
Currently extra strength acetaminophen products come in 500 mg. tablets, capsules or caplets, and the recommended maximum adult dosage is 2 tablets (1000 mg.) every 4-6 hours with a maximum of 4000 mg. in 24 hours. The FDA is urging that the maximum recommended dosage be lowered to 650 mg. every 4-6 hours with a 24 hour maximum dose of 2600 mg.
Toxic Combinations
According to physicians, the 4 grams per day if taken for a day or so may not be contraindicated, but if combined with other medications containing acetaminophen, or taken with alcohol, the drug can be potentially harmful. Also when taken during an illness when the patient is not consuming much food or fluids, the potential for harm is increased.
Acetaminophen for Children
Acetaminophen is a drug most often recommended to treat fever in children as aspirin can prove to cause Reyes Syndrome in children under the age of twelve. Ibuprofen also known as Motrin® or Advil® is an alternative to acetaminophen in treating fever and flu symptoms in children, but again, many other OTC medications such as cough, cold and flu formulas can contain ibuprofen and it is easy to overdose.
Ask an Expert
If in doubt, please consult a pharmacist or other health care practitioner before taking acetaminophen or other cold, cough, flu or pain medications. When used as directed, acetaminophen is safe and has been for over 50 years. The problem arises when people begin to self medicate and use more than the recommended dosage.
Source: ABC News
