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Epoch HealthUniversity Officials Issue Warning on Acetaminophen Overdoses Amid Flu Season

Rutgers University officials have issued an alert following increased poison control calls related to acetaminophen overdoses during the current flu season. The warning comes as respiratory illness levels remain high across 40 states, with multiple seasonal flu strains circulating. Medical professionals at Rutgers are currently treating patients for acetaminophen overdoses to prevent liver failure, highlighting the need for increased awareness about this common medication ingredient.


Key Points:

  • Acetaminophen, present in more than 600 commercial products, poses significant risks during flu season when patients may unknowingly exceed the safe daily limit of 4,000 milligrams through multiple medications. Healthcare providers should educate patients about checking active ingredients in all their medicines to prevent accidental overdoses.
  • Current CDC data indicates widespread respiratory illness activity, with at least 5.3 million flu illnesses, 63,000 hospitalizations, and 2,700 deaths, including 11 pediatric fatalities. Multiple flu strains are contributing to cases, with no single dominant strain identified.
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment shows nearly 100% effectiveness when administered within eight hours of acetaminophen overdose, according to the National Institutes of Health. The FDA has approved NAC specifically for treating acetaminophen poisoning.
  • Severe complications from acetaminophen overdose include liver toxicity, liver failure, and kidney failure. Patients require immediate medical intervention to prevent these life-threatening conditions.
  • The Consumer Healthcare Products Association identifies acetaminophen as the most frequently used drug ingredient in US over-the-counter medications, emphasizing the widespread exposure risk.

“Most people don’t realize they’re at risk of overusing acetaminophen because they’re unaware so many medicines contain this ingredient. There are more than 600 products on the market that contain acetaminophen.”
Diane Calello, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School


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