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GENERAL INFORMATION |
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Summary: Cold Medicine and Acute Liver Failure |
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| The accidental taking
of toxic doses of acetaminophen, the active ingredient
in Vicodin and other pain and fever medications,
is by far the most common cause of acute liver
failure in the United States. "People don't
realize how many products contain acetaminophen," said
Laura Bradbard, an FDA spokeswoman. Someone might
take Tylenol for pain, then a cold remedy in the
same day but not know they're exceeding the maximum
safe dose. Acetaminophen is found in nearly 200
over-the-counter products, as well as some prescription
painkillers like Percocet and Darvocet. |
| Acetaminophen
belongs to a class of drugs called analgesics
and is used for the relief of fever as well
as aches and pains associated with many conditions. |
| It is commonly associated
with Tylenol brand pain reliever, but is also
an active ingredient in a number of over-the-counter
(such as Excedrin, Midol, Theraflu, Alka-Seltzer
Plus Cold Medicine, NyQuil) and prescription
(Vicodin and Percocet) drugs. The standard
oral dose for adults is 325 to 650 mg every
4-6 hours, with a maximum daily dose of 4 grams.
According to the Hepatology study, consistent
use of as little as 7.5 grams a day could lead
to severe liver injury. |
| On December 19, 2006, the FDA proposed new warnings about liver damage dangers on the labels of over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen. The FDA suggests that products containing acetaminophen should come in packaging that highlights the potential liver damage associated with use, particularly when taken in high doses or with a moderate amount of alcohol. |
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| Lieff
Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein,
LLP represents persons injured
in vehicle accidents. Click
here to submit your case. |
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| Lieff
Cabraser has participated in
over twenty $100 million-plus
settlements & verdicts
since 1992. To read a summary, click
here. |
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| Despite the information available concerning the dangers associated with overdoses of the drug, the number of unintentional acetaminophen poisoning cases has continued to increase. |
| Users most at risk for
overdose include those with depression, chronic
pain, alcohol/narcotic use, and those who take
several acetaminophen-containing products at the
same time -- for example, Tylenol for a headache
and a second acetaminophen-containing product for
cold symptoms. |
| In addition, some babies
die every year because parents give them liquid
acetaminophen instead of solutions that come in
droppers and are prepared specially for infants.
The two contain different concentrations of medication,
but warning labels don't offer concrete guidance
for how much is appropriate for babies. |
| It has been alleged that
drug manufacturers have failed to warn the general
public that even a small amount of acetaminophen
taken multiple times can lead to severe liver injury.
Nor have drug manufacturers of products containing
acetaminophen adequately warned the public of other
over-the-counter pain and cold remedies that also
contain acetaminophen so that patients not ingest
multiple medicines containing acetaminophen at
the same time. |
| The law in most states
provides several personal injury claims for
persons who have been seriously injured by
prescription or over-the-counter drugs with
dangerous, undisclosed side effects. These
claims include strict liability for a defective
product, failure to warn, and negligence. |
| Damages sought against
drug manufacturers for side effects and injuries
include: |
- Physical pain and suffering, mental
anguish and physical impairment;
- Medical expenses associated with the
allegedly defective product; and
- Loss of earnings and/or earning capacity.
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| In the case of a patient
that dies, a wrongful death suit may be filed
by the family. |
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Our lawyers
have years of experience successfully representing clients
in personal injury cases. |
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There
is no charge or obligation for our review of your case. |
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In death
and serious injury cases, we are pleased to visit you where
you live, at no cost, to discuss your legal rights and answer
your questions. |
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We have
retained product safety and medical experts nationwide to
assist our clients with their claims. |
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| If you or a family member
have suffered acute liver failure or other injuries
due to acetaminophen overdose, you may be eligible
to file a claim. Please
click here to contact an attorney at Lieff Cabraser to
discuss your legal rights at no cost or obligation.
We will handle all inquiries with the strictest
confidentiality and sensitivity. Inquiries from
Canada and other nations are also welcome. |
| You are also welcome
to call us toll-free at 1-800-541-7358; Visitors
from Canada can call 415-956-1000. Please ask to
speak with lawyer Fabrice Vincent. |
| Founded in 1972, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein,
LLP is an over fifty attorney
law firm with offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville. For the last five years,
the National Law Journal has recognized Lieff Cabraser
as one of the top 20 plaintiffs’ law firms in America. |
| For our personal injury cases, we bring a team of experienced
lawyers. Each client is assigned an individual lawyer. In addition, we have
on staff multiple nurses, legal assistants, scientific analysts and case
clerks to assist the attorneys. To learn more about our firm, click
here. |
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| Trademark
Notice: Personal Injury Lawyer America is an electronic newsletter
from Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. Lieff Cabraser
represents clients in a wide range of cases, including personal
injury and wrongful
death lawsuits. Our personal injury attorneys
| lawyers are committed to providing the very best representation
and support possible for our clients. This website provides information
on the legal rights of the injured and the latest news on product
defects and related lawsuits. |
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About Lieff Cabraser: We have
offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville. Our lawyers have
represented clients in personal injury, wrongful death and
rollover crashes and product defect lawsuits across America, including
residents of Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho,
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Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin,
West Virginia and Wyoming.
Among the cases our personal injury
attorneys are prosecuting are the Medtronic heart lead recall, the
AMO contact lens solution recall, the Peter Pan peanut butter recall, Guidant
pacemaker defects, SUV
rollover accidents, popcorn
workers lung injuries, and Ford
switch fires.
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| Copyright © 2008 Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP |
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