Tylenol Liver Damage Problems

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted November 11, 2011

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Although Tylenol has been on the market for more than 50 years, concerns about the risk of liver failure and liver damage from acetaminophen have grown in recent years as the active ingredient has made its way into more and more pain relievers and higher doses of the medication have been contained in each tablet. However, the drug maker has known for years about the link between Tylenol and liver problems, yet they continued to promote the medication as safe and provide minimal warnings for consumers.

Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, has been cited as the leading cause of liver failure in the United States in recent years, causing more than 50,000 emergency room visites every year, with 25,000 hospitalizations for liver problems and over 450 deaths. The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Tylenol liver damage lawsuits for individuals who have experienced problems.

In response to the growing Tylenol liver damage problems, the FDA has enacted a number of measures in recent years to limit acetaminophen exposure and reduce the risk of liver failure or other liver injury.

In May 2009, an FDA working group released a report on over-the-counter Tylenol use that called for more stringent label warnings about acetaminophen liver damage. The report suggested that many people were overdosing on acetaminophen because they were unaware that they were taking multiple drugs that contain the same active pharmaceutical ingredient. The group also recommended that the adult daily dose of Tylenol be limited and the amount allowed in each pill be capped.

In July 2010, an FDA advisory committee went as far as to recommend that some prescription painkilers that combined opioids and acetaminophen, like Vicodin and Percocet, be recalled because of the dangers of liver damage. The panel recommended that if the drugs were allowed to remain on the market, they should carry an acetaminophen black box liver damage warning.

In January 2011, the FDA limited the amount of acetaminophen that can be contained in combination prescription painkillers to 325 mg per tablet or capsule. The requirements will be phased in over the next three years, but the FDA announcement did not address over-the-counter products like Extra Strength Tylenol, which contained up to 500 mg in each tablet.

Amid growing public and regulatory pressure, Johnson & Johnson finally announced in July 2011 that they would change the recommended daily dose on Tylenol and other acetaminophen products to 3,000 mg per day, down from 4,000 mg per day. The new recommendations generally lower the maximum recommended number of Extra Strength Tylenol pills from eight per day to six.

ACETAMINOPHEN LIVER DAMAGE LAWSUIT

The Tylenol lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential lawsuits for individuals throughout the United States who have experienced liver damage or liver failure after using an acetaminophen product. Compensation may be available for acetaminophen liver damage problems as a result of the manufacturers’ failure to provide adequate warnings for consumers. To review a potential case for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

2 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Holly says:

    My mother died in April 2011, she had severe liver damage. She died of complications from choking on food, 80years old. She was treated for liver damage for better than five years.The medication for treatment and the problems that it caused was nasty.She had lived on Tylenol for as long as I can remember, both over the counter and prescription.

    Posted on November 24, 2011 at 10:38 am

  • Melanie says:

    My daughter. Has. Necrological. Effects. I. Invested. Tylenol. My. Whole. Pregnancy. In. 1987. Have. Documentation. From. A lifetime. Of. Doctor and bills.

    Posted on September 8, 2022 at 12:46 am

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