FDA Panel Votes to Reduce Maxium Daily Dose of Acetaminophen
The maximum daily dose listed on Tylenol, Excedrin and other over-the-counter painkillers will be reduced if the FDA takes the advice of experts on an FDA advisory panel, which voted Tuesday to reduce the maximum dose. There are concerns that using too much of a painkiller containing acetaminophen can cause liver damage.
The FDA advisory panel voted 21-16 Tuesday to lower the maximum daily dose of nonprescription acetaminophen, which is currently 4 grams - equal to eight pills of a drug such as Extra Strength Tylenol. The panel was not asked to recommend another maximum daily dose.
The panel also voted 24-13 to limit the maximum single dose of acetaminophen to 650 milligrams. The current single dose of Extra Strength Tylenol, for instance, is 1,000 milligrams.
The panel also voted 26-11 to make the 1,000-milligram dose of acetaminophen available only by prescription.
US News says the FDA is not obligated to follow the advice of its advisory panels but it usually does.
The maximum daily dose listed on Tylenol, Excedrin and other over-the-counter painkillers will be reduced if the FDA takes the advice of experts on an FDA advisory panel, 
