Tylenol (acetaminophen) maximum dosage lowered.
Johnson & Johnson, the makers of acetaminophen (Johnson & Johnson’s brand name is Tylenol), are lowering their recommended daily maximum dosage from 4000 mg to 3000 mg. This change comes because consumers can overdose on Tylenol and cause liver failure. Every year 200 fatal overdoses and 56,000 emergency room visits occur when people accidentally take too much acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Tylenol is included in many over-the-counter and prescription drug mixtures. For example, Vicodin and Percocet are two prescription pain medicines which include acetaminophen (Tylenol). Many over-the-counter cold medicines include acetaminophen (Tylenol) in the mixture. Many generic versions of acetaminophen are available over-the-counter also. (No word on whether their labeling will be changed or not.)
When you are using multiple medications for pain, fever, sore throats, headache, you should read the label on the bottles and figure how much Tylenol (acetaminophen) you are getting. For example, Extra Strength Tylenol gives 500 mg each. In the past, they recommended that you should not take more than 8 of those daily. However, if you are taking a cold medicine mixture which has acetaminophen, you should figure that amount into your total daily intake.
The previous recommended maximum dosage was 4000 mg/day and the label changes will begin this fall 2011. According to Yahoo Health, accidental overdose of acetaminophen is the “top cause of liver failure.” More information can be found at http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/ap/us_tylenol_dosing_change
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