Safety of Acetaminophen Under Debate - May Cause Liver Damage

By Evan Mix

Published on July 02, 2009

For decades, over-the-counter painkillers and other medications have relied on the active ingredient acetaminophen. Now, the substance is coming under scrutiny from the Food and Drug Administration, which has convened a committee to explore ways to prevent the estimated 100 deaths that occur from accidental acetaminophen overdose each year in the United States.

The problem is rooted in the fact that so many different over-the-counter medications contain acetaminophen. In addition to over-the-counter painkillers such as Tylenol® and Excedrin®, cough medicines such as NyQuil® also contain significant amounts of the offending chemical. Though FDA and pharmaceutical-industry officials maintain that the substance is safe at recommended doses, many people unknowingly overdose when they take multiple acetaminophen-containing medications simultaneously.

FDA regulators could take a number of measures, including reducing recommended dosage levels and eliminating products that mix acetaminophen with other active ingredients. Such restrictive measures could meet resistance from the pharmaceutical industry, which could lose money if it can no longer sell the offending products.

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