BEIJING, July 1 -- Medical experts in the U.S. have
recommended new limits on a key ingredient to cough medicines and painkillers
which may dramatically alter the way some patients treat colds, headaches and
other pains.
A panel of more than 30 doctors, pharmacists and
researchers have recommended a number of options to help reduce liver injury
associated with acetaminophen, used in the treatment of pain relief. Among the
options are to place warnings on the products warning of potential liver damage
to a complete withrawal of the drug from the shelves.
It is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in
the U.S. and may severly limit the choice open to patients and doctors alike.
"Whatever we do on any of these options, it will
really affect the whole health care system," said Gerald Dal Pan, director of
the FDA's (Food & Drug Administration) office of drug surveillance.
Experts have recommended the FDA lower dosing levels
of acetaminophen and proposed that large doses of Tylenol be available by
prescription only.
Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in several
over-the-counter painkillers such as Excedrin and Tylenol, and a host of cough
medicines like NyQuil and Theraflu.
Despite years of educational campaigns and other
actions, the FDA states that acetaminophen remains the leading cause of liver
failure in the U.S. About 100 people die annually from accidentally overdosing
on the drug, though the FDA says it is safe if taken at recommended levels.
(Agencies)