Salt Lake City Accident Attorneys
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is used to reduce fever and treat minor aches and pains. It is sold over-the-counter (OTC). It does not make you drowsy or get you high. Doctors recommend it all the time. Before ibuprofen, it was the only real option for treating fever in children because aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome, and it remains a popular choice for that purpose. It is also the only OTC pain reliever that many people, who have adverse gastrointestinal reactions to ibuprofen, can tolerate. Unfortunately, acetaminophen overdose can be deadly, and long-term use of recommended doses can cause liver and kidney failure.
Avoiding Acetaminophen Overdose
People often take acetaminophen without realizing it, because it is contained in so many OTC combination products sold to treat the symptoms of cold, sinus, flu, and allergies. These are not just Tylenol products; acetaminophen is sold under other brand names. It is also contained in prescription drugs such as Vicodin.
Overdose typically occurs when users are unaware of the fact that they are taking multiple acetaminophen products, and therefore, fail to do the math and make sure that they are not taking more than they should over the course of the day. For example, someone who takes Vicodin for back pain, and comes down with a cold, may then take an OTC cold remedy containing the drug without realizing that the drugs are in conflict at all.
According to the FDA, you should not take more than 4,000mg of acetaminophen within a 24 period. Don’t rely on the brand name of OTC or prescription drugs. Read the actual ingredients, add up the dose, and when in doubt, talk to your doctor or ask a pharmacist for help in determining what is safe for you.
If you have been harmed by Tylenol or any other drug, please call the Salt Lake City attorneys of Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We represent people who have been injured through no fault of their own and we can help you and your family through this difficult period.
