FDA Limits Acetaminophen Amounts in Prescription Painkillers

On Thursday, January 14, 2011, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it is restricting the strength acetaminophen contained in Percocet, Vicodin and other popular prescription painkillers to prevent people from suffering severe liver damage.

The FDA called on drug manufacturers to limit the amount of acetaminophen in all prescription products that combine the drug with other medications to no more than 325 milligrams per tablet or capsule.

Tylenol is the most popular pain killer in America, with literally billions of the tablets or capsules sold each year.  Acetaminophen is the generic name for Tylenol, and is found in well over 200 medications.  Although the vast majority of consumers perceive Tylenol and acetaminophen to be “safe”, acetaminophen-related liver injuries result in over 56,000 emergency room visits each year, 26,000 hospitalizations each year, and over 450 deaths per year.  Acetaminophen is the number one cause of “acute” liver failure in the United States.

Our acetaminophen team has been working in this area for over 10 years and has unmatched knowledge, experience, and results when it comes to securing compensation for victims and families who have suffered acetaminophen related liver injury, failure or death.  Although we are located in Atlanta, our practice in this area is national in scope.

If you or a loved one has suffered liver damage, liver failure or death that you believe is due to acetaminophen, you owe it to yourself to call us immediately at 404-832-8000, email us at [email protected] or fill out our online contact us form.

*Our acetaminophen team consists of the law firms Henry Spiegel Milling LLP and Toliver & Gainer, LLP.