Maximum Tylenol dosage will be lowered by Johnson & Johnson in order to reduce the risk of overdose, says McNeil Consumer Healthcare.
McNeil is a division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., and in turn a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.
Reuters reports that according to a release from the healthcare company, the adjustment from eight pills per day to six was made to encourage the appropriate use of acetaminophen.
Over 50 million American use acetaminophen every week to treat pain, fever, and other conditions associated with cold and flu symptoms, according to statistics from McNeil.
Dr. Edwin Kuffner, vice president of over-the-counter medical affairs and clinical research at McNeil, said in the release to Reuters, “Acetaminophen is safe when used as directed. But, when too much is taken (overdose), it can cause liver damage.”
Beginning in fall 2011, the new dosing instructions will appear on Extra Strength Tylenol products in the U.S.
In addition, in 2012, McNeil plans on lowering the maximum daily dose for Regular Strength Tylenol and other acetaminophen-containing products for adults.
The decision comes after a number of recalls of Tylenol and other nonprescription drugs for Johnson & Johnson in the past year.
According to Reuters, in March 2011, U.S. health authorities said they would closely supervise three Johnson & Johnson manufacturing plants where quality-control lapses led to recalls of more than 300 million bottles and packages of over-the-counter medicines.
Johnson & Johnson also reported in May that it would make its U.S. over-the-counter business a separate organization.
