Millions of consumers take the over-the-counter pain reliever Tylenol (acetaminophen) to reduce fever or treat pain, and some even take the medication on a daily basis. Unfortunately, these consumers may not be aware of the severe health risks they may be exposing themselves to just by taking Tylenol as recommended. Since the 1990s, research has indicated that acetaminophen (Tylenol) use is a major contributor to the risk of acute liver failure in the United States, with nearly half of all instances resulting from acetaminophen overdose. However, a lack of adequate side effect warnings on the Tylenol label has led consumers to continue using the medication, thereby putting themselves at risk of experiencing a Tylenol overdose and possibly even liver failure. If you took Tylenol and have since suffered from a serious side effect, contact a Tylenol lawyer to discuss your options for legal recourse.
The most recent FDA action taken against Tylenol took place in July 2011, when the agency required Tylenol maker Johnson & Johnson to reduce the maximum daily recommended dose of Tylenol from 4,000 mg to 3,000 mg. This decision was made by the FDA in an effort to reduce the risk of liver injury caused by Tylenol overdose in the United States. Previously, in January 2011, the FDA advised manufacturers of all acetaminophen products to limit the maximum amount of acetaminophen in their products to 325 mg per tablet or capsule, to help prevent liver failure, liver transplant and death in patients. Unfortunately, the FDA reports that there is considerable evidence indicating that liver failure caused by Tylenol use may result from a lack of consumer awareness concerning the link between acetaminophen overdose and serious liver injury.
From 1998 to 2003, acetaminophen (Tylenol) was the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States, with 48% of acetaminophen-related cases associated with unintentional overdose. Perhaps the most alarming fact about acetaminophen overdose is that experts indicate it can occur after taking Tylenol for only four days. Since Tylenol is so widely used and is available without a prescription, many consumers assume that it is extremely safe and has little risk, if any, of side effects. Unfortunately, studies have shown that even healthy adults taking Tylenol as recommended may be at risk of suffering from Tylenol overdose and Tylenol liver failure side effects.
According to national estimates, there were about 56,000 emergency room visits, 26,000 hospitalizations, and 458 deaths related to acetaminophen-associated overdoses per year between 1990 and 1998. If you or a loved one has suffered from a liver failure side effect, which you believe to be associated with the use of Tylenol, contact a Tylenol lawyer for legal help. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering, which you can collect by filing a Tylenol lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. Consumers suffering from pharmaceutical drug-related side effects deserve to collect fair and timely reimbursement for their physical and emotional suffering. With the help of an experienced Tylenol lawyer, you can protect your legal rights and bring public attention to the potentially harmful nature of the popular pain reliever Tylenol.