Headaches, muscle pain, menstrual periods, toothaches, back pain and fever reduction are all just some of the roles the drug Acetaminophen fulfills for patients world-wide. But despite the many uses for the drug, diverse consumers taking it and various forms in which it is available, Acetaminophen has a dangerous side that can be easy to overlook without access to proper information. As many as 8 million Acetaminophen pills, also known as Tylenol, are taken every single year.
Dangerous Side Effects of Acetaminophen
Although taking Acetaminophen on regular occasions may seem harmless enough, studies show that the drug has been linked to as many as 26,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths from liver failure exclusively. Despite consumer efforts to stick safely within recommended dosage ranges, Acetaminophen can still be fatal to the operation of the liver, causing extreme illness and even death. Its availability to patients over the counter, make the consumption of Acetaminophen an even scarier, offering a sense of security accompanying easy access.
Liver damage is a common side effect among many drugs, medicines and supplements. Despite the dangerous side effect liver failure shares among a multitude of drugs, Acetaminophen is the most frequent culprit of the condition, provoking criticism among health care professionals and consumers alike.
A decrease in the way the kidneys filter toxins is another negative side effect that Acetaminophen users may experience. In some studies asthma in children taking Acetaminophen within the first year of life was more prevalent as they aged, causing some researchers to link the drug’s use with the repertory condition.
How is the Liver Affected by Acetaminophen?
In addition to offering relief and treatment for a wide array of ailments, Acetaminophen is also a known liver toxin, even in recommended doses. Though small doses are dangerous enough, excessive doses and extended periods of consumption can be even more fatal. Fasting, alcohol and other combinations with toxic liver ingredients in Acetaminophen will often amplify its negative side effects.
Inadequate Warning Labels and Information
Extreme liver failure risks should spark extra care, excessive warning labels and limited availability, making painstaking labeling even more important. Instead, most versions of the drug caution users to avoid overuse, combinations of the drug with alcohol or additional Acetaminophen, keeping consumers in the dark about the grave side effects that can affect them in mere days. Additionally, labels often don’t include warnings regarding severe effects coinciding with use during fasting or malnutrition.
Acetaminophen Recall Information
Though Tylenol issued recalls of children’s Acetaminophen during 2010 for raw materials contaminated with bacteria, according to the FDA, the company has since issued 5 new recalls in 2011 alone for some of their products containing Acetaminophen. From Sudafed to Benadryl to Motrin to the Tylenol family of cold, flu and pain medicines, various Johnson & Johnson products continue to take heat from the FDA for poor quality production procedures and dangerous ingredients.
"The company should have acted faster. All companies have a responsibility to ensure high quality, safety and effectiveness of their products and protect consumers,” Deborah Autor, director of FDA’s compliance office, notes. In fact, Tylenol received numerous customer complaints about irregular smelling products almost a year prior to notifying the FDA, according to the administration’s chief of Recalls and Shortages Branch.
Recent Acetaminophen Recalls
Recalled August 15, 2011
- Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Nightime Rapid Release Gels 24 RR Gelcaps Lot Numbers: AMA277, APA059, APA162, ASA025, APA237, ASA208, BAA008 UPC Code: 300450395245
- Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Rapid Release Gels Day/Night 12+8RR Gelcaps Lot Numbers: AMF034, BAF005, BAF027, BCF080 UPC Code: 300450396204
- Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Rapid Release Gels Day/Night 36+24 RR Gelcaps Lot Numbers: BBF001, BCF060, BCF079 UPC Code: 300450396600
Recalled June 28, 2001
- Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets, 225 count Lot Number: ABA619t Lot Number: ABA619 UPC Code: 300450444271
Recalled March 29, 2011
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Tylenol 8 Hour Extended Release Caplet 150 count Lot Number: ADM074 UPC Code: 300450
Texas Acetaminophen Attorneys
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured as a result of Acetaminophen, call our Product Liability lawyers in Austin, San Antonio, Killee and statewide Texas at 888-335-7492, contact us online or visit on of our 11 law firms in Texas.
