Because of acetaminophen’s potential for causing liver damage when too much is given, the FDA is considering including dosing instructions for children under two years of age. Acetaminophen, which includes such products as Children’s Tylenol, is the most common pain reliever and antipyretic (fever reducer) in the USA.

Few parents realize that acetaminophen, when misused, can lead to acute liver damage which can sometimes be fatal. Accidental overdose by an uninformed parent or caregiver is much more common than people realize.

Next week the FDA has a meeting which will determine whether extra label instructions should be included in a small group of liquid medications, including various brands that contain the active ingredient acetaminophen.

These medications have never included information about dosing for children under two years of age. A high body temperature in an infant up to the age of six months may be linked to meningitis, pneumonia or some other dangerous infection.

Overdosing on acetaminophen has overtaken viral hepatitis as the main cause of liver failure in America and the United Kingdom (all age groups), causing thousands of hospital admissions annually.

Acetaminophen is also known as paracetamol. Its chemical formula is C8H9NO2. Apart from being commonly used for the relief of pain and treating a fever, it is also present in several cold and flu medications. Its analgesic effect starts to work about 11 minutes after oral administration (after swallowing it).

Acetaminophen also accounts from most drug overdoses in the USA, UK, New Zealand and Australia.

According to WHO (World Health Organization), acetaminophen should only be used as an antipyretic in children when their temperature exceeds 101.3°F (38.5°C). Many health experts believe ibuprofen is a more effective antipyretic.

Written by Christian Nordqvist