Search
 

Acetaminophen Warnings for Injured Workers

Acetaminophen is the generic name of one of the most commonly used drugs to relieve pain and fever in the United States.

By Tron Emptage, Rph, Ma | Updated on December 16, 2009

Acetaminophen is the generic name of one of the most commonly used drugs to relieve pain and fever in the United States. This popular over-the-counter medication is also contained in a number of prescription medications commonly included in workers’ compensation formularies, including Vicodin(R), Percocet(R) and Ultracet (R). According to Progressive Medical, Inc.’s 2009 Drug Spending Analysis, these drugs are among the top 10 most frequently dispensed medications for workers’ compensation claims.

Acetaminophen is considered safe in small amounts. However, when used at higher doses, acetaminophen increases the risk for liver damage. According to a 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate, acetaminophen is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA), reports that acetaminophen toxicity is the cause of more than 400 deaths in the United States each year. This information has led the FDA to call into question current standards for acetaminophen dosage and usage frequency.

In June 2009, a joint meeting of three key FDA advisory committees was held to discuss acetaminophen as it relates to liver toxicity. Key recommendations from that meeting included reducing the maximum daily dose for acetaminophen (currently four grams, or 4,000 milligrams) and banning Vicodin and Percocet from the marketplace.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free
PropertyCasualty360 Digital Reader.

INCLUDED IN A DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP:

  • All PropertyCasualty360.com news coverage, best practices, and in-depth analysis.
  • Educational webcasts, resources from industry leaders, and informative newsletters.
  • Other award-winning websites including BenefitsPRO.com and ThinkAdvisor.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Dig Deeper

Recommended Stories

PropertyCasualty360

Join PropertyCasualty360

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed decisions for your P&C insurance business. Join PropertyCasualty360.com now!

  • Unlimited access to PropertyCasualty360.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including BenefitsPRO.com, ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on PropertyCasualty360, National Underwriter, Claims and ALM events

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join PropertyCasualty360

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.