The free online resource ‘helps people do the math’ to avoid exceeding the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen, which can lead to liver damage.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Acetaminophen Safety Tool: The Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition’s new online dosing calculator helps users track their intake of acetaminophen, preventing accidental overdoses by identifying the ingredient in both OTC and prescription medications.
- Overdose Risks: Exceeding the maximum daily dose of 4,000 mg of acetaminophen can lead to liver damage, often caused by using multiple products with acetaminophen or incorrect dosing.
- Widespread Use: With over 50 million Americans using acetaminophen-containing medications weekly, the tool aims to improve consumer awareness during peak times like cold and flu season.
The Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition (AAC), advised by the US Food and Drug Administration, has launched the Know Your Dose Acetaminophen Dosing Calculator, a free online educational tool that provides consumers with information on how to safely use over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products containing acetaminophen.Â
The AAC works to educate consumers about the importance of acetaminophen-safe use through its public health campaign Know Your Dose.
Acetaminophen is in hundreds of medicines including multi-symptom cold and flu products, pain relievers, fever reducers, and allergy medicines. The ingredient is safe and effective when used as directed, but consumers should be aware that exceeding the maximum daily dose of 4,000 milligrams (mg), as indicated on the label, can lead to liver damage.
“With more than 50 million Americans using a medicine containing acetaminophen each week, our new dosing calculator helps people do the math, which increases their awareness of how much acetaminophen is in their medicines and how they could accidentally take more than 4,000 mg in a 24-hour period,” says Mary Leonard, executive director of the Health in Hand Foundation, an AAC Coalition member, in a release.
Preventing Acetaminophen Overuse Risks
Research shows that there are generally three main reasons why someone might exceed the maximum daily dose: they take the next dose too soon, they use multiple products that contain acetaminophen at the same time, or they take more than the recommended dose at one time.
The online dosing calculator features an easy-to-use interface and extensive database of medicines with acetaminophen to show users how much acetaminophen their medicines contain and cautions users who exceed the maximum daily dose of 4,000 mg. User information put into the dosing calculator is strictly confidential and not collected or shared.
“Because acetaminophen is in so many medicines, it’s easy for people to accidentally take too much—especially during cold and flu season. This dosing calculator will help families safely keep their sick symptoms at bay,” says Wendy Mobley-Bukstein, PharmD and associate professor of pharmacy at Drake University.
Mobley-Bukstein also reminded consumers that there are steps they can take to avoid an accidental overdose of acetaminophen when treating their symptoms. “Always read and follow the dosing instructions on the medicine label. Know if your medicine contains acetaminophen, and don’t take more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen at the same time. If you have any questions, your healthcare provider or pharmacist is your best resource—use them,” she says in a release.
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