Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Don't exceed top dose of acetaminophen when taking painkillers: Health Canada

From the Winnipeg Free Press:
As the United States announced Thursday that it would cap the amount of acetaminophen allowed in prescription painkillers, Health Canada issued a statement saying that it continues to review current and emerging safety evidence.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the limit would be 325 milligrams of acetaminophen per capsule in painkillers such as Vicodin and Percocet.

The FDA cited the risk of liver injury, which mainly occurs when patients take multiple products containing acetaminophen at one time and exceed the current maximum dose of 4,000 milligrams within a 24-hour period.

"Health Canada continues to review emerging and available safety evidence, including that used by the FDA to reach its decision and will determine if any new action may be needed to protect health and safety," the agency said in its statement Thursday. ...more

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