 Acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol®) is found in many over-the-counter and prescription medications used to treat pain and fever. Although often considered a "harmless" drug, acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the US. Acetaminophen is frequently found in combination products such as Vicodin® and many cold & allergy medications. It is important to read medication ingredient labels to identify all sources of acetaminophen (which is sometimes called APAP or a variety of names resembling acetaminophen) since overdose often occurs when patients simultaneously take multiple products containing acetaminophen. The FDA has recommended reducing the maximum daily adult dose of acetaminophen to 3,250 milligrams per day. Healthy adults who have taken the maximum dose of acetaminophen for just two weeks have been found to have liver damage. Drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen can increase the risk of toxicity since both are metabolized by the liver. The FDA is asking healthcare professionals to stop prescribing combination prescription pain relievers that contain more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per dosage unit, citing the risk for liver damage. By limiting the maximum amount of acetaminophen in prescription and OTC products, patients will be less likely to overdose on acetaminophen if they mistakenly take too many doses of acetaminophen-containing products. If you realize that too much acetaminophen has been taken, call 911 immediately. Signs or symptoms of liver damage are often not noticeable for hours or even days and by the time symptoms occur, damage may be severe and could even lead to death. It's also helpful to select cough and cold remedies that do not contain acetaminophen, to reduce the risk of accidental acetaminophen overdose. If you need a medication but can't take an adequate dose because it is combined with acetaminophen in the commercial product, we can help by compounding a preparation that is acetaminophen-free. Also, many tablets and capsules contain sugar, dyes, lactose and gluten. We can customize medications without these problem-causing ingredients.
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