Acetaminophen, Liver Failure and Lawsuits

Patients taking the popular pain reliever acetaminophen may be at risk of suffering from severe overdose and liver failure side effects. Contact an acetaminophen attorney today to discuss your compensation options.

As more information is revealed about acetaminophen side effects, the FDA is taking steps to warn consumers about the risk of overdose and liver failure associated with even normal acetaminophen use. If manufactures of pain releivers don't heed this warning, they could face acetaminophen liver damage lawsuits. Acetaminophen has become one of the most commonly used medications in the United States, and is most frequently found in the form of the over-the-counter pain reliever, Tylenol. Acetaminophen can be found in nearly every medicine cabinet in the country, and is often used to treat minor symptoms like cough, cold, flu, fever and headaches. Unfortunately, since the 1990s, research has focused on the potential for acetaminophen-containing products like Tylenol to severely damage the liver, possibly resulting in acute liver failure and symptoms of acetaminophen overdose. These studies could lead to acetaminophen lawsuits. Despite a number of efforts on the part of health officials to reduce the incidence of acetaminophen-related liver injury, the extent of reported liver failure cases in the U.S. indicates that liver injury from acetaminophen use is still a serious public health issue. If you took acetaminophen and have since suffered from symptoms of acetaminophen overdose or acute liver failure, contact an acetaminophen attorney immediately.

Acetaminophen Overdose

Most consumers believe that, because acetaminophen is so popular and is available over the counter, it comes without the risk of serious side effects. However, the FDA warns that exceeding the maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen can cause serious liver injury, and may even result in death. Label changes could greatly reduce injuries and if they are not implemented, this non-action could lead to acetaminophen liver damage lawsuits. Patients suffering from acetaminophen overdose typically exhibit nondescript symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, irritability, appetite loss and sweating. The occurrence of acetaminophen overdose side effects is so prevalent that the adverse event resulted in approximately 56,000 emergency room visits, 26,000 hospitalizations, and 458 deaths from 1990 to 1998 alone.

Acetaminophen and Liver Failure

The ability for acetaminophen to cause liver failure is related to the fact that small amounts of acetaminophen are converted to a toxic metabolite, which binds with liver proteins to cause cellular injury. Common symptoms of acute liver failure include jaundice, bleeding easily, swollen abdomen and coma. The most dangerous aspect of acetaminophen overdose and the resulting liver injury is that, according to the FDA, many cases are caused by consumers accidentally taking more than the recommended dose. However, studies have shown that even taking the recommended dose of acetaminophen can cause life-threatening liver failure. According to a study published in 2006 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, even healthy adults taking maximum recommended doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol) for two weeks had abnormal liver test results. 

Lawsuits for Acetaminophen Caused Liver Failure 

One of the greatest dangers surrounding acetaminophen side effects is that so few consumers are aware of the risks associated with the popular medication. Unfortunately, by the time adequate attention is paid to acetaminophen liver failure side effects, many consumers may have already suffered from overdose or severe liver injury. If you or a loved one has suffered from acetaminophen overdose or liver failure, contact an acetaminophen attorney to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to file an acetaminophen lawsuit against the allegedly negligent drug company, in order to pursue financial compensation for your injuries, medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. You are not at fault for any injuries caused by a dangerous pharmaceutical drug, and you should not be held accountable for the resulting consequences. With the expertise of an acetaminophen lawyer on your side, you can protect your legal rights and seek fair and timely reimbursement for your injuries by filing an acetaminophen lawsuit.