This is one my mom definitely needs to read because she just loves Tylenol. Besides, its reputation for reducing fever is out of sight! But we must learn that more is not better.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is asking manufacturers of prescription combination products that contain acetaminophen, generic of Tylenol, to limit the amount of acetaminophen to no more than 325 milligrams (mg) in each tablet and capsule. The FDA is also requiring manufacturers to update labels of all prescription combination acetaminophen products to include a warning of potential risk for severe liver injury.
Acetaminophen, also called APAP, is a drug that relieves pain and fever and can be found in both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products. It is combined in many prescription products with other ingredients, usually opioids such as codeine (Tylenol with Codeine), oxycodone (Percocet), and hydrocodone (Vicodin). OTC acetaminophen products are not affected in the change, since excessive amounts of acetaminophen are usually reserved for prescription drugs.
The elimination of higher-dose prescription combination acetaminophen products will be phased in over three years and is not expected to create a shortage of pain medication. Patients and health care professionals are being notified of the new limitation on acetaminophen content, and of the labeling change, via a drug safety communication issued by Center for Drug Evaluation & Research. The FDA reports plans to ensure that prescription combination products containing no more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per tablet are effective for treating pain.
Acetaminophen is also widely used as an over-the-counter pain and fever medication, and is combined with other OTC ingredients, such as in cough and cold medications. Please pay closer attention to the medications and the amounts that you and your loved ones ingest.
Oh, and this is one of my articles that's already published. So, please be sure to cite this if you're thinking about reproducing or referencing it ;-)
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