FDA Group Recommends Acetaminophen Liver Warnings

FDA group recommends stronger warnings, dose limits for acetaminophen citing liver risk

The Associated Press
Abc News

In this file photo, Extra Strength Tylenol is displayed July 5, 2006 in Washington, DC. The FDA group recommends stronger warnings, dose limits for acetaminophen citing liver risk

(Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

A Food and Drug Administration report released Wednesday recommends stronger warnings and dose limits on drugs containing the painkiller acetaminophen, citing an increased risk of liver injury.

The recommendation covers both prescription doses and over-the-counter medication, of which Johnson & Johnson's Tylenol is the most well-known. Acetaminophen is also widely available as a generic over-the-counter drug.

"There is extensive evidence that hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity) caused by acetaminophen use may result from lack of consumer awareness that acetaminophen can cause severe liver injury," the working group report said. Read more...