Parents Warned by FDA About Infant Acetaminophen Doses
December 28, 2011 – New formulations of the infant pain reliever and fever medication, liquid acetaminophen, has the Food and Drug Administration warning parents to be cautious about the doses they give infants. The new versions of the drug have a lower concentration of the drug, but both versions are still in circulation and many consumers may still have the old products in their medicine cabinets.
The two different versions could confuse parents and cause them to give doses that are too big or too small. The new version was created as a result of the FDA’s efforts to reduce overdosing deaths and illnesses of acetaminophen by urging manufacturers to switch to the less concentrated formula.
The FDA offers the following advice to parents:
- Read drug fact labels carefully.
- Don’t assume a product labeled “new” has the new, lower concentration.
- Use only the dosing syringe or dropper provided with each package.
- Consult a doctor before giving the medication to children under age 2— and make sure you are talking about the same concentration when a doctor gives you dosing instructions.
Acetaminophen for infants is sold under brands including Tylenol, Little Fevers, Triaminic, Pedia Care and store names and has the potential to cause liver damage and even death when taken in large doses. Acetaminophen causes three times as many cases of liver failure as all other drugs combined, and is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States.
The Philadelphia pharmaceutical and drug product injury attorneys at Messa & Associates have handled cases involving serious injuries and death related to the use of acetaminophen. We have handled dozens of cases involving drugs and drug product injuries and obtained verdicts and settlements for victims suffering from these injuries. If you or a loved one has used Tylenol or any other acetaminophen product and suffered serious illness or death, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.
