Tylenol, one of the most well-known names of over-the-counter pain relief medications, is designed to relieve fever and pain. It may also be combined with other active ingredients in drugs that treat sleeplessness, flu, colds, cough and allergies. However, according to several medical experts and patients across the U.S., there may be a possible relationship between Tylenol and liver damage.
Tylenol and Liver Damage: What is the Link?
According to a report published in The Los Angeles Times, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first issued its warning in January 2014 involving high-dose prescription acetaminophen products. Overuse of the drug is now one of the most common causes of acute liver failure, as well as the second-most commonly reported cause of liver failure requiring liver transplantation in the country.
Bloomberg.com reported in August 2013 that there are 500 milligrams of acetaminophen in Extra Strength Tylenol caplets, an amount that is well over the new limits for prescription drugs established by the FDA. McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, announced in that same month that it would adding more prominent warnings to inform consumers of the risk of liver damage to the labels of its Tylenol-brand products.
Plaintiffs File Lawsuits against Manufacturers
As dozens of Tylenol and liver damage lawsuits proceed in federal court, health regulators are again warning physicians not to prescribe drugs that contain more than 325 milligrams of acetaminophen, due to the potential link between Tylenol and liver damage. The FDA posted a statement on its website on April 28, 2014 in which the agency warned that such medications are no longer safe and have been voluntarily removed from the public market. The FDA also reminded pharmacists to refrain from filling high-dose acetaminophen prescriptions and to return any drugs that they may have in stock to the manufacturer or the wholesaler.
According to court documents, more than 120 Tylenol and liver damage lawsuits have been filed in a multidistrict litigation currently underway in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania on behalf of plaintiffs who have allegedly developed the condition due to Tylenol and other acetaminophen-containing products. Plaintiffs claim that, while they used the medications as directed in accordance with label directions, they still suffered from liver damage.
Additionally, these Tylenol and liver damage lawsuits claim that McNeil and Johnson & Johnson failed to provide adequate warnings to the public regarding the apparent link between Tylenol and liver damage. Alleged victims of Tylenol and liver damage may be entitled to seek compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills and more.
Have You Been Injured? Contact Us Today
If you or someone you love has suffered liver damage while taking Tylenol, contact Attorney Group to learn more about your legal rights and if you are able to file a Tylenol liver damage lawsuit. There is no cost to receive a case evaluation, and we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can help you pursue a claim and recover the damages to which you may be entitled.