by: Michael Rea, PharmD
Tylenol (generic name: acetaminophen) is regarded by healthcare professionals all over the world as a safe over the counter drug to use for most people. It is one of the few drugs given an “A” rating for pregnant and lactating women, is recommended for everything from aches and pains to fever, and is used in age ranges from newborns to those 100+ years old. So what could possibly make this drug dangerous?
Like most medications, to much of something can be a bad thing. It is a more and more common reality, especially for those people taking painkillers. In one recent case, the end result was the loss of life.
Tylenol, or acetaminophen, is one of, if not the most common drug used by society today. It is available over the counter, and is also in a slew of different prescription pain medications as a secondary ingredient. The problem arises when a person takes to much of the drug, typically from several different sources. For most people, this amount is 4,000mg per day depending on age, health factors, and liver function. By going over this amount, the body is taxed heavily, especially the liver. Ultimately this can lead to acute liver failure, and even death.
In a recent case, a senior citizen with minor aches and pain was taking tylenol over the counter at a rate of 650mg per dose and up to 4 doses per day. When they went in to the surgical suite for a minor surgery, they were discharged with Vicodin (vicodin has 5 mg of hydrocodone and 500mg of acetaminophen per pill) 5/500 up to 8 tablets daily. The final blow came when due to the uncontrolled pain from the surgery, and ER visit put the on another combination medication with 325mg of tylenol up to 4 times daily. This adds up to 7,900 mg of tylenol in 24 hours!
In this particular case, both the doctor and pharmacist were found liable and should have caught the problem prior to the deadly outcome. It is also important to watch your medication list and beware of any duplicates. Be alert to what you’re on, keep a list, and ask lots of questions. Be your own advocate and protect yourself today!
