An FDA Advisory Panel has made several recommendations to limit the amount of the drug acetaminophen, the most common being Tylenol, Americans consume after research revealed a strong link between acetaminophen use and liver damage. The Panel concluded that acetaminophen is included in so many over the counter (OTC) drugs that consumers often don't realize how much they are getting. Here's a detailed list of some of the most commonly used drugs which contain acetaminophen:
OTC product which contain acetaminophen*
Actifed: Cold & Allergy, Sinus
Alka-Seltzer Plus: All Products
Anacin: Aspirin Free Formula
Benadryl: Allergy Sinus Headache; Severe Allergy & Sinus Headache
Comtrex: All Products
Contac: Severe Cold and Flu Maximum Strength Caplets, Non-Drowsy Caplets, Day & Night Cold & Flu
Coricidin: D Cold, Flu & Sinus Tablets, HBP Cold & Flu Tablets
Dimetapp: Non-Drowsy Flu Syrup
Dristan: Cold Multi-Symptom Formula
Drixoral: Allergy Sinus, Cold & Flu Excedrin®: All Products
Feverall: Suppositories
Goody’s Powders: All Products
Midol: Maximum Strength Menstrual Formula, Maximum Strength PMS Formula
NyQuil/DayQuil: Cold/Flu Relief Liquid and LiquiCaps
Pamprin: All Products
Percogesic: All Products
Robitussin: Cold, Multi-Symptom Cold & Flu, Multi-Symptom Honey Flu Liquid, Nighttime Honey Flu Liquid
Singlet: Tablets
Sinutab Sinus: Sinus Allergy Medication Maximum Strength Formula
Sudafed: Cold & Cough Liquid Caps, Cold & Sinus Liquid Caps, Severe Cold Caplets and Tablets, Sinus Caplets and Tablets
Tavist: Sinus Non-Drowsy Coated Caplets
TheraFlu: All Regular and Maximum Strength Caplets and Hot Liquid
Triaminic: Cold, Cough & Fever Liquid, Cough & Sore Throat Liquid, Cough & Sore Throat Softchews
Tylenol: Allergy Sinus Formula, Severe Allergy; Arthritis Pain Extended Relief; Cold Formula, Cold & Flu; Extra Strength Pain Reliever; Flu Formula; Maximum Strength Sore Throat Adult Liquid; PM Pain Reliever/Sleep Aid; Regular Strength; Sinus; Women’s Tylenol
Vanquish: Caplets
Vicks: Vicks 44M Cough, Cold & Flu Relief Liquid and Liquicaps
*Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
FDA recommendations
The FDA Panel met in late June of 2009 and made the following recommendations:
Lowering the daily maximum dosage of acetaminophen from 4,000 mg to 2,600 mg
Placing a black box warning on OTC medications containing acetaminophen
Reducing the single maximum adult dose of acetaminophen to 650 mg, instead of the current 1,000 mg
Taking Vicodin and Percocet off the market
If you've been injured due to acetaminophen use, contact an experienced attorney to discuss your situation and evaluate your options. You may be entitled to compensation.
