Before you take that medicine have you read the label?
(BPT) – Chances are you’ve come in contact with a label today. Whether it’s the nutrition label on your breakfast bar or the washing directions on your favorite shirt, labels are part of our daily lives, and provide important health information and directions to keep people safe.
When it comes to medicine, the majority of people say that they read and follow labels. Yet common dosing mistakes can cause people to take too much medicine. Taking more of a medicine than directed is an overdose. Research shows that with acetaminophen, a common pain reliever and fever reducer, almost half of overdoses are unintentional. Additional research shows that when people exceed the daily limit of 4,000 milligrams (mg), they do so by taking the next dose too soon, using multiple products that contain acetaminophen, and/or taking too much at one time.
‘Mistakes can be prevented by reading and following the label correctly,’ said Kyle McGrath, Pharm.D. and registered pharmacist. ‘It’s important that patients know to be diligent about reading their medicine labels, knowing the ingredients in their medicines, and following dosing directions.’
Know the ingredients in your medicine
Acetaminophen – the most common drug ingredient in America – is found in more than 600 prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, including pain relievers, fever reducers, sleep aids, and numerous cough, cold, and flu medicines. More than 50 million people use medicines containing acetaminophen each week.
The Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition (AAC), a group of leading health, healthcare provider, and consumer organizations, is reminding consumers to always read and follow their medicine labels each time they take an OTC or Rx medicine. Every OTC and Rx medicine has specific directions for safe use that should always be followed precisely. The directions tell you what amount of medicine to take, how to take it, when to take it, and when not to take it. Be sure to keep your medicine in the original packaging so that you have proper dosing information on hand.
To help you avoid taking too much, acetaminophen is highlighted on OTC medicine labels so it’s easy to find. Research shows that adults with knowledge of the ingredients in their medicines and appropriate dose have a lower likelihood of exceeding the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen.
Consult your healthcare provider with questions
When used as directed, acetaminophen is safe and effective. But there is a limit to how much you can take in one day. Taking more acetaminophen than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends taking no more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period.
The AAC’s Know Your Dose campaign reminds consumers to follow four medicine safe use steps:
1. Always read and follow the label
2. Know if medicines contain acetaminophen
3. Take only one medicine at a time that contains acetaminophen
4. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about dosing instructions or medicines containing acetaminophen
For more information and to see a list of some common medicines that contain acetaminophen, visit KnowYourDose.org and follow @KnowYourDose on Twitter.