Top Tylenol Dose Set Lower

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a good over-the-counter painkiller, and an excellent alternative to the NSAIDs, or non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil (ibuprophen) or Aleve (naproxen).  However, at very high doses there’s a risk of liver damage, so the manufacturers, Johnson & Johnson, have announced they will lower the maximum daily dose that they recommend.

Until now, the top recommended daily dose for Extra-Strength Tylenol was 4,000 mg; this will now become 3,000 mg.  This means 6 rather than 8 pills a day. And in 2012 the maximum daily dose of regular-strength Tylenol will also be lowered. 

The changes are being made based on advice from an FDA working group in 2009.  (The time since then has presumably been taken up in “discussions” between the manufacturers and the FDA). 

Let’s hope these steps will reduce the number of serious liver toxicity due to over dosage.  However, I’m a little skeptical – many people with severe pain will continue to take two (or three) pills every few hours while the pain lasts . . .