RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Acetaminophen Security Device: The Acetaminophen Consciousness Coalition’s new on-line dosing calculator helps customers monitor their consumption of acetaminophen, stopping unintentional overdoses by figuring out the ingredient in each OTC and prescription medicines.
- Overdose Dangers: Exceeding the utmost day by day dose of 4,000 mg of acetaminophen can result in liver injury, typically induced through the use of a number of merchandise with acetaminophen or incorrect dosing.
- Widespread Use: With over 50 million Individuals utilizing acetaminophen-containing medicines weekly, the software goals to enhance shopper consciousness throughout peak occasions like chilly and flu season.
The Acetaminophen Consciousness Coalition (AAC), suggested by the US Meals and Drug Administration, has launched the Know Your Dose Acetaminophen Dosing Calculator, a free on-line academic software that gives shoppers with info on how you can safely use over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription merchandise containing acetaminophen.
The AAC works to coach shoppers concerning the significance of acetaminophen-safe use via its public well being marketing campaign Know Your Dose.
Acetaminophen is in tons of of medicines together with multi-symptom chilly and flu merchandise, ache relievers, fever reducers, and allergy medicines. The ingredient is protected and efficient when used as directed, however shoppers needs to be conscious that exceeding the utmost day by day dose of 4,000 milligrams (mg), as indicated on the label, can result in liver injury.
“With greater than 50 million Individuals utilizing a drugs containing acetaminophen every week, our new dosing calculator helps individuals do the mathematics, which will increase their consciousness of how a lot acetaminophen is of their medicines and the way they might by accident take greater than 4,000 mg in a 24-hour interval,” says Mary Leonard, govt director of the Well being in Hand Basis, an AAC Coalition member, in a launch.
Stopping Acetaminophen Overuse Dangers
Analysis reveals that there are usually three foremost the explanation why somebody may exceed the utmost day by day dose: they take the following dose too quickly, they use a number of merchandise that include acetaminophen on the similar time, or they take greater than the beneficial dose at one time.
The web dosing calculator options an easy-to-use interface and in depth database of medicines with acetaminophen to indicate customers how a lot acetaminophen their medicines include and cautions customers who exceed the utmost day by day dose of 4,000 mg. Consumer info put into the dosing calculator is strictly confidential and never collected or shared.
“As a result of acetaminophen is in so many medicines, it’s straightforward for individuals to by accident take an excessive amount of—particularly throughout chilly and flu season. This dosing calculator will assist households safely preserve their sick signs at bay,” says Wendy Mobley-Bukstein, PharmD and affiliate professor of pharmacy at Drake College.
Mobley-Bukstein additionally reminded shoppers that there are steps they’ll take to keep away from an unintentional overdose of acetaminophen when treating their signs. “At all times learn and observe the dosing directions on the drugs label. Know in case your medication incorporates acetaminophen, and don’t take multiple medication that incorporates acetaminophen on the similar time. When you have any questions, your healthcare supplier or pharmacist is your greatest useful resource—use them,” she says in a launch.
ID 53889861 | Acetaminophen © Kevin Giszewski | Dreamstime.com
