Acetaminophen is the generic name of a drug found in many common brand name OTC products such as Tylenol, and over the counter acetaminophen as well as prescription products such as Vicodin and Percocet. Acetaminophen is an important drug, and its effectiveness in relieving pain and fever is widely known. This drug is generally considered safe when used according to the directions on its labeling. But taking more than the recommended amount can cause liver damage, ranging from abnormalities in liver function blood tests, to acute liver failure, and even death.
FDA.
“Painkillers Vicodin and Percocet, combine acetaminophen with an opiate narcotic”
Consumers may also not know that Acetaminophen is present in many over-the-counter products, including remedies for colds, headaches and fevers, making it possible to exceed the recommended acetaminophen dose.
There were 56,000 emergency room cases of OTC Acetaminophen overdoses. Recent studies indicate that unintentional and intentional overdoses leading to severe hepatotoxicity liver damage.
FDA And OTC Acetaminophen
U.S. health advisers recommended Tuesday to lower the maximum dose of over-the-counter acetaminophen — the key ingredient in Tylenol, Excedrin and many other pain-killing medications.
Based on that, the FDA advisory panel voted 21-16 to lower the maximum daily dose of nonprescription acetaminophen, which is currently 4 grams — equal to eight pills of a drug such as Extra Strength Tylenol. The panel was not asked to recommend another maximum daily dose.
The panel also voted 24-13 to limit the maximum single dose of acetaminophen to 650 milligrams. The current single dose of Extra Strength Tylenol, for instance, is 1,000 milligrams.
The panel also voted 26-11 to make the 1,000-milligram dose of acetaminophen available only by prescription.
The recommended dosage of Acetaminophen pain relievers as of today are as follows:
Has your doctor recommended Acetaminophen pain relievers? If you take Acetaminophen, you should know that exceeding the recommended acetaminophen dosage for an extended period will raise your risk of kidney and or liver damage. An adult should not take more than 4,000 milligrams of Acetaminophen per day. Anyone who drinks heavily, who takes blood thinning medication, or who has liver disease must exercise extreme caution with Acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers. Acetaminophen is generally safe when taken as directed.
There are alternatives to using Acetaminophen pain relievers and they include:
White Willow is being used by more people as an alternative to aspirin, and it is used to treat many of the same conditions; bursitis, tendonitis, headaches, osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhea, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used for back pain, toothache, and menstrual cramps.
White Willow also works well in soothing a sore throat and reducing the fever and headache associated with upper respiratory tract infections and influenza, and it is easier on the stomach than aspirin.
White willow is an excellent alternative to aspirin.
Standardized White Willow Bark
OTC Acetaminophen-The Herbal Shopper!
