Acetaminophen Liver Damage Lawyer
Protecting victims injured by dangerous over-the-counter and prescription drugs
Acetaminophen can cause potentially fatal liver damage when taken beyond the recommended dosage. Unfortunately, overdosing is easy to do because patients often take several medications to ease their symptoms, not realizing they all contain acetaminophen. Additionally, certain prescription drugs contain more than the recommended amount in a single dosage.
As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has limited the amount of acetaminophen in Vicodin, Percocet and other prescription painkillers to 325 milligrams per capsule rather than up to 700 milligrams. Numerous other countries have already recalled products including acetaminophen, and the FDA is currently under fire from critics for its delayed response to the situation.
Georgia negligence lawyer Kenneth S. Nugent and his team have the experience needed to protect the rights of individuals injured by this dangerous drug.
The extent of acetaminophen recalls
One of the most commonly-used drugs, about 80 percent of acetaminophen is used in non-prescription products, including the following:
- Tylenol pain medication
- Benadryl allergy medicine
- Sudafed PE cold and cough coated caplets
But acetaminophen is contained in generic and store-brand products as well. Plus, over-the counter drugs are not the only medications under investigation or facing potential concerns. As recently as January 2011, the Food and Drug Administration requested a limit on the acetaminophen content of a number of prescription pain medicines manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, Endo Pharmaceuticals Holding Inc, Watson Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, and others—which may contain as much as twice the recommended acetaminophen dosage.
Acetaminophen can cause severe liver damage and failure
Acetaminophen-induced liver damage includes three different phases:
- Phase 1. Within 12-24 hours, the patient suffers from symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
- Phase 2. This latent phase often occurs during the next 12-24 hours. The patient experiences no symptoms and might even believe the problem is resolved.
- Phase 3. This phase occurs 48-72 hours after ingesting the acetaminophen overdose. Liver blood test results soar and worst-case scenarios can include kidney failure, bleeding disorders, coma, and death.
Due to the liver damage suffered by many acetaminophen users, a class action lawsuit may be pursued at any time. We can help if you suffered damage from any product containing acetaminophen and are interested in participating in a class action suit in the future.
If you have been taking acetaminophen and experience nausea and vomiting within 12 to 24 hours, you should see your doctor for liver blood tests, even if you begin to feel better. If liver damage is diagnosed, a free case review with our Atlanta dangerous drug attorneys can help determine the extent of your injuries and your claim. Simply contact Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C. onlineClick the chat bubble to send us a message or call us toll free at 1-888-579-1790.
