Health Alert-Acetaminophen Warning

Jan. 13, 2011 - The FDA is warning about the dangers ofacetaminophen in popular prescription pain drugs, but did it go far enough?

Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is found in a wide range of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. At normal doses, when not taken with alcohol, acetaminophen is a very safe drug. But it's easy to take too much -- a big mistake that can lead to serious liver damage.

Damage can occur when a person with normal liver function takes 4,000 milligrams or more of acetaminophen in a single day. That's easy to do if a person is taking several medications and is not aware that each contains a powerful dose of acetaminophen.

The result: some 56,000 emergency-room visits, 26,000 hospitalizations, and 458 deaths a year. Acetaminophen is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the U.S., causing some 1,600 cases a year.

Now the FDA is taking two steps. Both affect only prescription drugs. The FDA action does not affect any medication sold over the counter. The FDA say that in three years:


Prescription pain drugs can contain no more than 325 milligrams of acetaminophen per pill or spoonful. Currently, some of these drugs contain as much as 750 milligrams of acetaminophen.


Prescription pain drugs will carry the FDA's strongest "black box" warning label. That label will warn of the risk of serious liver injury.

FDA Advice to Patients Taking Acetaminophen-Containing Drugs

Here's the FDA's advice to people who are taking prescription pain drugs that contain acetaminophen:


Acetaminophen-containing prescription products are safe and effective when used as directed, though all medications carry some risks.


Do not stop taking your prescription pain medicine unless told to do so by your health care professional.


Carefully read all labels for prescription and OTC medicines and ask the pharmacist if your prescription pain medicine contains acetaminophen


Do not take more than one product that contains acetaminophen at any given time.


Do not take more of an acetaminophen-containing medicine than directed.


Do not drink alcohol when taking medicines that contain acetaminophen.


Stop taking your medication and seek medical help immediately if you think you have taken more acetaminophen than directed.


Stop taking your medication and seek medical help immediately if you experience allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, mouth, and throat, difficulty breathing, itching, or rash.

Source:-WebMd