Acetamiophen 5th deadliest drug re:overdoses
March 28th 2008 02:10
Studies show acetaminophen, when taken in large doses, can kill
Last Edited: Monday, 24 Mar 2008, 3:44 PM CDT
Created: Monday, 24 Mar 2008, 3:39 PM CDT
Recent studies show that acetaminophen is the fifth deadliest drug in regards to overdoses.
Acetaminophen (like Tylenol or other pain relievers) is taken by many every day – but is now labeled as one of the deadliest drugs in the U.S.
The Minnesota Poison Control Center reported over 1,700 unintentional acetaminophen overdose calls last year. “It's very readily available and it makes it one of our most common calls to the poison center,” said Kirk Hughes from Minnesota Poison Control.
People with migraines and toothaches are often the most likely to take too many. But the directions say, take 2 every four hours.
And people who have taken more than 8 extra-strength Tylenol in one day for more than two days are at risk for developing liver toxicity.
Toxicity damage may not show up until after you’ve stopped taking the medication. “The danger with this is they may not have any symptoms for a day or two. And then start getting some pain in their upper quadrant in their abdomen which is where their liver is, and now it's being destroyed because they've taken too much,” said Hughes.
Liver failure and even death is a possibility.
Doctors advise sticking to the recommended dosage. If you are experiencing pain that is requiring you to seek acetaminophen for relief around the clock, you should seek medical attention immediately
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I've known for a long time that acetaminophen was dangerous.I don't take it.But many people do.Popping them almost like candy.Why is this drug kept as an over the counter medicine when these dangers are known.
But even knowing that it was dangerous,I had no idea it was this bad.I know that it is also in alot of sleep aids,advertised as safe.I would think that some kind of alarm should be sounding and at the least these facts should be on the labeling and some kind of warning in their commercials.
It should be considered to be removed as an over the counter remedy.
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