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I am sure makers of the popular OTC pain killer will argue that as long as people follow the label directions, no one will experience liver failure. (just a brief increase in liver enzymes, no big deal)
And that if people had common sense, they would never be near these risks. The problem that the FDA has with this argument is that many people are ingesting acetaminophen (the generic name for Tylenol) Cough and Cold medicine and a large number of pain killers from Vicodin to Fioricet all contain acetaminophen.
So what happens when the pain you are treated is not alleviated with one pill? You take another one, right? Well, in doing so many people are putting themselves at risk to overdose on acetaminophen and they don't even know it. After all, they think "I'm taking a prescription. This isn't Tylenol!"
And that's where the problem lays. The FDA is not considering taking Tylenol or Acetaminophen pills of drugstore shelves. What it would like to ban in the "hidden" combination of a controlled substance with acetaminophen.
Not surprisingly a spokes person for an agency that represents OTC medicines says: "The truth is that acetaminophen is the safest choice for pain and fever," But then again, don't forget who writes her hefty paycheck. I mean, could she even dare to hint that the FDA could be right. Not a chance! Not if she wanted to keep her job. Specially in this recession, please!
Liver Damage! What's the big deal? Isn't the liver one of those disposable organs?
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