How do people get acetaminophen poisoning from an over-the-counter drug?
According to researchers, many Americans believe that Tylenol and other acetaminophen-containing drugs are completely safe because, 1) they are available without a prescription, 2) they can be administered to children and even babies, and 3) they are used to treat all sorts of minor health problems. Many people take Tylenol or similar drugs on a daily basis, for extended periods of time, or in doses much larger than what is considered safe. This can result in Tylenol toxicity, a form of acetaminophen poisoning, which can cause severe liver damage. To learn more about acetaminophen poisoning, contact the practice of Childers, Buck & Schlueter. Are there warning labels on drugs that contain acetaminophen? Yes, but they are insufficient. They do not adequately address who may be at risk for acetaminophen poisoning – for example, people who fast, or are sick and not eating, but are still taking acetaminophen, and people who take the drug in high doses and/or frequently are at elevated risk
