Concerns have surfaced again at the FDA and in the media about the safety of acetaminophen and the multiplicity of products on the market in the US that contain various amounts of it. The text below is reprinted verbatim from The Medical Letter 2002; 44:91. The table that follows on the next page is current.

Acetaminophen Safety [2002]

An FDA panel has recommended that stronger warnings about hepatotoxicity be added to the labeling for acetaminophen.1

ANALGESIC EFFECTIVENESS — Mild to moderate pain often responds to two regular strength 325-mg tablets of acetaminophen. A recent meta-analysis found that 1000 mg of acetaminophen (2 extra-strength 500-mg tablets) was somewhat more effective than 600-650 mg in treating moderate to severe postoperative pain, mainly after oral, gynecologic or orthopedic surgery.2 There are ... more      

Would you like to read the rest of this issue?  Gain access below.