Acetaminophen warnings: What Does It Mean?

No doubt you've heard the latest news about Acetaminophen.

Out of the blue, the FDA issues warnings, and everyone’s out of shape and worried about the Tylenol or Advil that they've been taking for years.

It turns out that a recent study shows what we, in the medical community have always known, excess use of acetaminophen can cause of acute liver failure.

Acetaminophen can be found in Tylenol, Vicadin, Advil, and Percocet.

So why is it so dangerous?
The study found that 16 percent of us take acetaminophen on a weekly basis, and 20 percent take ibuprophen.

The problem is the dosage. You're taking too much, too often, and you are not reading the labels.

The label has always stated that you are not supposed to take more than four grams a day/, which translates to eight 500 mg extra strength Tylenol tablets.
People are easily popping up to a dozen pill in a day; they take it too frequently, or take 3 at a time,. 0

All this study says, is that you really pay attention to what you are doing.
We originally thought you needed to take a mountain of pills to cause damage to your lliver. It turns out that the danger level is not far from what people are taking. Problems begin at 5 grams to 5.75 grams. That’s only a difference of one additional pill; or two extra a day. Whoops!
So, what would I recommend you do?

1. Never, ever ever go above the four grams; the FDA hasn’t raised the dose. You do not need to take more than 4 or 6 500-mg pills. Don’t take anymore. It is really important that you back off, and substitute a 325 mg pill a day.

2. Watch out where find acetaminophen. Over-the-counter cough medicines, like Nyquil, can mean you have too much on board quickly.


3. Have your pain checked by your physican. Why do need that many tablets a day? I see it all the time… stop self-medicating and get the pain checked.

4. Know the signs of liver damage: nausea, stomach pain, and low fever. Look at urine and stool: urine will be coffee-colored; and stools are clay colored. Eyes can also become yellow, so watch for jaundice signs.

Long story short: read the labels, for your kids, for yourself.
Err on the side of being conservative. Think about what else you can do for pain? Ice, heat, sleep, rest, stretch, call your doctor, and address the cause, instead of just taking a pill.