FDA Seeks To Stop Overuse Of Acetaminophen

WASHINGTON (CBSMiami) – The Food and Drug Administration is trying to curb the rampant abuse of acetaminophen by asking doctors to quit prescribing drugs that combine medications with more than 325 milligrams of acetaminophen per pill.

The FDA said the move is due to the long-standing concerns about liver damage that large doses of acetaminophen over a long-period of time can cause. The FDA said drug makers are also complying by stopping production of medications with higher doses.

The drugs that are combined with acetaminophen are typically opioid painkillers like hydrocodone and codeine. The combination drugs are usually given for major pain from injuries, surgeries, and dental procedures.

The FDA said it will soon withdraw approval for any medications containing more than 325 mg of acetaminophen and may institute regulatory action on the over-the-counter acetaminophen as well.