(Washington, DC, Thursday, February 27, 2025) – If someone is suffering from a cold, the flu, or another pesky virus, it’s important for them to be careful not to overuse acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen is a drug ingredient found in hundreds of medicines. It’s safe and effective when used as directed, but there’s a limit to how much you can safely take in a 24-hour period. Taking more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in a day can lead to liver damage.
Megan Filoramo, FNP, a Pain Management Nurse Practitioner and Master Faculty for the American Society for Pain Management Nursing, explains the importance of knowing your acetaminophen dose.
SOUNDBITE 1:
Acetaminophen is a drug ingredient found in hundreds of medicines, including many pain relievers and multi-symptom cold and flu medicines. To use acetaminophen safely, it’s important not to exceed the maximum daily dose – taking too much can lead to liver damage.
SOUNDBITE 2:
The acetaminophen awareness coalition has launched the know your dose acetaminophen dosing calculator to help people take medicines safely. The free tool calculates the amount of acetaminophen in over-the-counter or prescription medicines and warns users if they might be taking too much.
For more information, please visit knowyourdose.org.