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.

While the FDA often follows the recommendations of its advisory panels, it is not required to do so. As this is written, the FDA has not issued any formal rules mandating new maximum dosage recommendations or banning prescription medications containing acetaminophen. Until formal rulings are issued, it is important that workers' compensation insurers take proactive measures to reduce the risk that acetaminophen may present to their injured parties. To reduce over-utilization of acetaminophen, insurers should: