{"id":6952,"date":"2022-04-26T00:29:42","date_gmt":"2022-04-25T23:29:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/towncryyers.com\/?p=6952"},"modified":"2022-04-26T00:29:44","modified_gmt":"2022-04-25T23:29:44","slug":"pain-relievers-and-liver-damage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/towncryyers.com\/index.php\/2022\/04\/26\/pain-relievers-and-liver-damage\/","title":{"rendered":"Pain Relievers And Liver Damage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Acetaminophen and Your Liver: What\u2019s Safe?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Tony Rehagen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Medically Reviewed by Minesh Khatri, MD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Chances are, acetaminophen is a mainstay in your medicine cabinet. You use it to ease aches and pains or bring down a fever. When you follow the instructions on those pill-bottle labels, it’s helpful and safe, and it generally doesn’t upset the stomach like other pain relievers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you take too much, it can hurt your liver. In extreme cases, it can even cause liver failure. It\u2019s still fine to use acetaminophen. You just need to know how to do that safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s It In?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 50 million Americans use acetaminophen each week. It’s the most widely used drug ingredient in the U.S., found in more than 600 prescription and over-the-counter (\u201cOTC\u201d) medications, including allergy pills, cold medicines, cough syrups, headache pills, and sleep aids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never take more than one product at a time that\u2019s made with acetaminophen. For instance, if it\u2019s in your headache pill and your cold medicine, and you take them both, you could get more than you should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the \u201cActive Ingredients\u201d section of the \u201cDrug Facts\u201d box on your OTC medication, or the label on your prescription, where it may be called \u201cAPAP\u201d or \u201cacetam.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the Directions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read the label on your medication. Don\u2019t take more than directed, even if you\u2019re still in pain or don’t feel well. Even when you stick to the recommended dose, you shouldn\u2019t take acetaminophen for more than 10 days for pain, or 3 days for fever. If you still feel like you need relief, call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adults should not get more than 4,000 milligrams of acetaminophen per day from all sources. That\u2019s no more than 12 regular-strength pills at 325 milligrams per pill, or 8 extra-strength pills at 500 milligrams per pill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For children, the daily limit depends on their weight and age. Check how many milligrams are in your child\u2019s doses, and follow the directions on the label exactly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may need to switch your child\u2019s weight from pounds to kilograms — you can use an online calculator to do that. If you’re not sure how much is OK, ask your doctor or pharmacist. To help you keep track, write down all the medicines you give your child each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common reasons people mistakenly pass the daily limit include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n