Opinion
Over-the-counter doesn't equal harmless
The proposal to limit dosage of Tylenol and other medications including acetaminophen is a reminder that just because a drug is sold over the counter doesn't mean it's completely harmless.
If the plan is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the maximum over-the-counter dosage of acetaminophen will be reduced and two narcotic painkillers which contain acetaminophen -- Percocet and Vicodin -- will be banned. Another drug, Darvon, along with the Darvon-acetaminophen combination Darvocet, will come with a pamphlet describing the dangers of overdose.
Taken at the recommended dosage, acetaminophen is safe and effective, doctors say. But too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage -- even liver failure and death. With a number of over-the-counter medications, such as cold remedies, containing acetaminophen, the danger of accidental overdose is increased.
According to an Associated Press report, the danger with Percocet and Vicodin is that the narcotics in these drugs are addictive, so users may end up taking increasingly large doses -- which include increasingly large doses of acetaminophen.
For those suffering severe and/or chronic pain, alternatives need to be found as quickly as possible. Alleviating their suffering must be the top priority during the few months before the FDA decision is due to be made.
For most of us, however, now is a good time to take an honest look at our habits. Do we read the labels on all the medicines we take to make sure we're not getting a double dose of something-or-other? Do we head straight for the Extra Strength capsules without asking ourselves whether a lower dose would do? Do we tell our doctor and pharmacist about the herbal and over-the-counter products we use to avoid any conflicts with the drugs we're prescribed?
Whatever decision the FDA makes, the discussion about acetaminophen should serve as a reminder that "safe when used as directed" means just that.
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