Coming in October bottles of Extra Strength Tylenol will have a new warning label in bright red lettering on their caps saying “Contains acetaminophen. Always read the label.”
Johnson and Johnson, Tylenol’s parent company is adding the warning in an effort to reduce the number of accidental acetaminophen overdoses that occur each year.
According to the National Institutes of Health, “Acetaminophen overdose is one of the most common poisonings worldwide.” The FDA sets the maximum limit for adults at 4,000 milligrams per day. One gel tablet of Extra Strength Tylenol contains 500mg. Taking too much of this pain reliever can cause liver damage.
The FDA also reminded the public that they should keep their doctor and pharmacist informed about all the medications they’re taking to ensure they are not consuming more than the daily limit.
In a statement, Johnson and Johnson said, “With more than 600 (over the counter) and prescription medications containing acetaminophen on the market, this is an important step because it will help remind consumers to always read the label.” CNN Health 8/30/17