(Atlanta, GA, Thursday, December 17, 2020) – Each year, millions of Americans use over-the-counter medicines to treat cold and flu symptoms. With the potential for flu season to happen on top of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this winter it is even more important for people to take acetaminophen safely as they try to ease their and their families’ symptoms. The Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition is urging consumers to double check their medicine labels when treating pain or fever symptoms to avoid doubling up on acetaminophen, because taking too much acetaminophen can lead to liver damage.

Acetaminophen is one of the most common drug ingredients in the U.S., found in many cold, flu, allergy, and pain medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a maximum daily dose of 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period.

Dr. Jennifer Lind, a pharmacist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), explains more.

SOUNDBITE #1:

ACETAMINOPHEN IS FOUND IN HUNDREDS OF OVER-THE-COUNTER AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES USED TO TREAT SYMPTOMS LIKE FEVERS. IT IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WHEN USED AS DIRECTED, BUT THERE IS A LIMIT TO HOW MUCH CAN BE TAKEN IN ONE DAY. TAKING MORE THAN THE MAXIMUM DAILY DOSE IS AN OVERDOSE AND CAN LEAD TO LIVER DAMAGE. ASK A PHARMACIST OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT DOSING INSTRUCTIONS.

SOUNDBITE #2:

WHEN TAKING A MEDICINE CONTAINING ACETAMINOPHEN OR GIVING ONE TO YOUR CHILD, ALWAYS USE SAFE DOSING PRACTICES. FOLLOW THE DOSING INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LABEL, AND USE ONLY THE DOSING DEVICE THAT COMES WITH THE MEDICINE. ASK A PHARMACIST OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF YOU DON’T HAVE A DOSING DEVICE OR HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ACETAMINOPHEN DOSING INSTRUCTIONS.

For more information about safe acetaminophen use, visit KnowYourDose.org.