Tylenol, or its generic form acetaminophen is a very popular over the counter drug. Aacetaminophen is used to treat headaches and reduce fevers, often as an alternative to aspirin. However, even recommended doses can cause liver damage in some people. 42,000 people are hospitalized every year in the United States from overdoses of acetaminophen and 400 people die.
Unfortunately, high doses of acetaminophen lead to liver damage–a well known side effect and one which is warned against on the Tylenol–acetaminophen labels. “Acetaminophen may cause liver damage.” The warning also relates to alcohol consumption, since as the label warns, if you consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day you should ask the doctor whether you should take acetaminophen (the answer is no!). While liver damage from using acetaminophen is well known, the drug remains a cause of serious liver damage. Now, however, the Food & Drug Administration has received a recommendation from its panel of experts with respect to two other drugs, Percocet and Vicodin. Both are prescription strength pain relievers that combine a narcotic with acetaminophen. The result is real potential for serious liver damage. The reason is that patients who take Percocet and Vicodin for long periods of time often need higher doses to achieve the same pain reduction effect. As a consequence, they are getting more acetaminophen, raising the possibility of serious damages to their livers.
The FDA Advisory Panel recommended a ban on the combination drugs because of the liver damage they may cause.
Among the panel’s recommendations are reducing the allowed dosage of acetaminophen and over-the-counter pills like Tylenol from 500mg down to 325mg and to recommend a reduction in the maximum daily dosage to less than 4000mg.
The expert recommendations limiting the use of Percocet and Vicodin are not new. However, the most recent FDA Advisory Panel recommendation should raise red flags with users of acetaminophen, but also Vicodin and Percocet, even if the FDA ultimately does not ban the drugs.
