Acetaminophen overdose a danger during flu season

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The flu is affecting more people than anticipated this season, and many sufferers are scouting drugstore isles in search of remedies to help combat the illness. Not all may know, however, that there's one common medication found in many of these drugs that when overused, may lead to liver damage, major health problems or even death.

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Acetaminophen is a medication used to treat mild to moderate pain from headaches, muscle aches, menstrual periods, colds and sore throats, toothaches, backaches, and also can treat reactions to vaccinations and fever. According to the Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition (AAC), a nonprofit group of medical providers and consumer groups, it is the most common drug ingredient in America and found in more than 600 different medications.

"It's safe as long as you take it at the right dose," Dr. Donald Gardenier, an assistant professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a member of the coalition, said to CBSNews.com. "It's easy to take extra because its hidden in so many medications."

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The AAC's Know Your Dose project is attempting to make the public aware of these overdose dangers.

People should not exceed 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in one day, according to the National Institutes of Health. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage serious enough to necessitate a liver transplant or cause death, and it is the No. 1 drug associated with liver injury, according to Gardenier. Because liver damage symptoms include nausea and vomiting, people might mistake them for additional flu symptoms during this time of year, he emphasized.

Parents should make sure medication directions are followed, especially for children between 2 through 11. For children under 2 years, parents and caregivers must consult their healthcare provider for dosing instructions since the Drug Facts label on packaging does not include dosing instructions for this age group. Pediatricians can provide parents with their child's age and weight appropriate dose via a phone call or office visit.

"Make sure that they aren't taking two different ones at the same time," Gardenier said. "If your child is small, you can't give a small child an adult dose. Always check with your pediatric provider."

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In addition to flu season's special risks, the coalition adds that drinking three or more alcoholic beverages per day puts people at an additional risk of overdose, because alcohol weakens the liver. Individuals who have liver diseases such as hepatitis C are also at an increased risk for complications.

The Know Your Dose campaign offers three easy ways to prevent an acetaminophen overdose.

First, always read and follow the label. Taking more than the recommended dose or using a different measuring system -- for example, a spoon instead of the provided measuring cup -- can be dangerous.

Second, check to see if your medications contain acetaminophen. Over-the-counter medications contain the word "acetaminophen" on the front of the package or bottle and in the active ingredient section.

Examples of popular OTC medications that contain acetaminophen are Alka-Seltzer Plus Liquid Gels, Benadryl, Dimetapp, Excedrin, Sudafed, Theraflu, Tylenol, Vicks, Aizcam and Dayquil and Nyquil, according to the coalition.

For prescription drugs, acetaminophen is occasionally abbreviated as APAP, AC, Acetaminophn, Acetaminoph, Acetaminop, Acetamin, or Acetam.

Third, never take two or more medications that both contain acetaminophen. It puts you at high risk for a potential overdose. Gardenier adds that it's not that hard to check with a medical professional, especially your pharmacist.

"If you have a bottle of NyQuil, there's more likely to be a pharmacist close by," Gardenier said. "And if it happens to be where you get your prescription medication they can do a quick check."

For more information, visit Know Your Dose.

[cwolf20]

Who knew that drugstores have isles/islands. How far do people have to swim to get to them? Man that's some tough health for people.

[mordred42]

Actually Tylenol has reduced the maximum dosage down to 3000 mg per day (6 pills of the 500 mg) because of overdoses. Also don't drink ANY alcohol when taking Tylenol as the alcohol is processed by the same enzyme in the liver which will make Tylenol more toxic to the liver.

[samk66]

"and many sufferers are scouting drugstore isles in search of remedies" Hey CBS... we just phoning in the reports now? isles? Never had to swim to a drug store before. Try 'aisle' I am not a grammar cop or anything, it is just that in a CBS news article, with that kind of wrong words, just throws a person out of the story.
Yes, I know I'm the worst grammar and spelling person around, it is why I don't write for any web site or news station.
Try to use an Edjumacated Editer nixt tyme!!! haha. Have a good day everyone!!!

[LVStudio]

Speaking from experience heed this acetaminophen warning! I took 3 every 4 hours for 3 weeks to ease a toothache pain then woke up all yellow (jaundice) with open soars caused by backed up Liver bile trying to work its way out of my system. Scared the hell out of me! Ironically while inserting a stint to clear the obstruction to my Liver a small cancerous tumor was spotted on my Pancreas years earlier than it would have been detected otherwise. We were able to remove all of it before it could ever get close to metastasizing and spreading. In a way you could say the toothache and aspirins ended up saving my life but don't be fooled, acetaminophen is nothing to mess around with!

[farkme]

Boy, you do NOT want to poison yourself with an overdose of Tylenol. I did it once when I was having unendurable back pain and couldn't get in to see my doctor soon enough. It's like food poisoning: vomiting, joint pain - you're just a whole lot worse off than when you started. If you can get it, the hydrocodone/acetaminophen blend Rx is much better for controlling pain and less dangerous in itself - should not be combined with some other meds, of course, so always consult your doctor/pharmacist.

[cleansemart]

Flu - Just about anyone who has undergone cold and flu treatment will tell you how annoying and irritating both these conditions can be, and the toll it takes on your daily routine and more importantly, your health.

From my earliest recollection of having the cold or the flu, it involved a lot of coughing and sneezing and just snapping at almost everyone who dared to come near the sniffling, sneezing monster.

And it wasn't funny at all with numerous visits to the bathroom or not finding a tissue when you need one and most of all, the quarantine period. www.cleansemart.com/homeopathy/top-rated-cold-sinus-pill-sinus-allergy-to-mold-treatments.html

Both these illnesses are due to viruses, with the common cold and the flu spread through one's saliva or nasal secretions. Of course, when you take the necessary precautions, you wouldn't need to worry, but in the case that you do contract either of these irritants, you'll be happy to know that we will explore how the common cold and the flu are best treated.

[CooperSawyer]

Henry the Hand can help you protect yourself from the Flu and Flu-like symptoms. All you have to do is "Do not touch the T Zone" and follow his 4 Principles of Hand Awareness. Remember "only you can prevent the flu" find more information at www.henrythehand.com