in Canada.
Health Canada's new labelling rules for acetaminophen are not strict enough, and the extra-strength products should be removed from store shelves, some doctors say.
Acetaminophen is one of the most widely used pain and fever relievers in Canada and worldwide. It is safe if used properly, but too much can be dangerous, particularly over time.
"It is the most common cause of liver injury. Period. Full stop," said Dr. Michael Rieder, a pediatric clinical pharmacologist at Western University in London, Ont.
Doctors and pharmacists may recommend acetaminophen to treat minor aches and pains, such as those from the common cold, viral and bacterial infections, headache, toothache, strains and sprains and menstrual cramps.
Too much of it can damage the liver.
Each year, about 4,500 hospitalizations in Canada occur due to acetaminophen overdose, and about 16 per cent of these are accidental, Health Canada says.
Rieder called Health Canada a "responsible regulator" for imposing the new labelling rules. But he'd like to see only regular strength acetaminophen products on store shelves for consumers to grab.
As a liver specialist at Vancouver General Hospital, Dr. Eric Yoshida regularly sees patients with severe liver failure from accidental acetaminophen overdose.
"I'm on call to the liver transplant program for this province. I just got a phone call literally two days ago from another hospital of somebody who was a heavy consumer of alcohol and took Tylenol and now they're in severe liver injury and they were calling for a transplant or possible transplant assessment."
There's a good chance of recovery for that individual, Yoshida said, but the problem is a common one.
Yoshida said he realizes that extra-strength products are big sellers. But he wants consumers to be aware that when they take extra-strength acetaminophen, they're just getting more of that drug, not a different molecule with more pain-relieving properties.
Why acetaminophen is the 'most common cause of liver injury' in Canada - Health - CBC News
Health Canada's new labelling rules for acetaminophen are not strict enough, and the extra-strength products should be removed from store shelves, some doctors say.
Acetaminophen is one of the most widely used pain and fever relievers in Canada and worldwide. It is safe if used properly, but too much can be dangerous, particularly over time.
"It is the most common cause of liver injury. Period. Full stop," said Dr. Michael Rieder, a pediatric clinical pharmacologist at Western University in London, Ont.
Doctors and pharmacists may recommend acetaminophen to treat minor aches and pains, such as those from the common cold, viral and bacterial infections, headache, toothache, strains and sprains and menstrual cramps.
Too much of it can damage the liver.
Each year, about 4,500 hospitalizations in Canada occur due to acetaminophen overdose, and about 16 per cent of these are accidental, Health Canada says.
Rieder called Health Canada a "responsible regulator" for imposing the new labelling rules. But he'd like to see only regular strength acetaminophen products on store shelves for consumers to grab.
As a liver specialist at Vancouver General Hospital, Dr. Eric Yoshida regularly sees patients with severe liver failure from accidental acetaminophen overdose.
"I'm on call to the liver transplant program for this province. I just got a phone call literally two days ago from another hospital of somebody who was a heavy consumer of alcohol and took Tylenol and now they're in severe liver injury and they were calling for a transplant or possible transplant assessment."
There's a good chance of recovery for that individual, Yoshida said, but the problem is a common one.
Yoshida said he realizes that extra-strength products are big sellers. But he wants consumers to be aware that when they take extra-strength acetaminophen, they're just getting more of that drug, not a different molecule with more pain-relieving properties.
Why acetaminophen is the 'most common cause of liver injury' in Canada - Health - CBC News
