FDA Recommends Ban on Painkillers
An FDA advisory panel recommended banning Vicodin and Percocet because they contain acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage if taken at higher-than-recommended doses. According to this article on Philly.com, the panel also urged the FDA to lower maximum doses for acetaminophen (also known as the branded drug Tylenol).
The FDA is not required to follow the panel’s advice, but usually does follow their recommendations. Vicodin and Percocet were recommended for a ban because some research has showed greater evidence of drug injury and liver damage with these medications. It could be because many patients take painkillers over the long term, while also taking other medicines they do not realize contain acetaminophen, such as NyQuil and Theraflu.
If the FDA bans Vicodin and Percocet, doctors may need to explore other ways to manage their patients’ pain. Vicodin contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen was included as an ingredient in the two drugs because it acts on different pain receptors than do hydrocodone and oxycodone. Other painkillers like aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also come with risks, such as kidney problems and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Experts said there are solutions that could reduce the chance of acetaminophen overdose, such as making sure all labels list acetaminophen. This could reduce the possibility that a patient might take too much of the drug. Doctors could also ask more questions about which drugs patients are taking. Doctors need to know how often a person takes Tylenol and NyQuil.
The pharmaceutical industry likely will fight the proposed ban since prescription drugs containing acetaminophen generated $1.4 billion in 2008 sales.
As a consumer, you have the right to assume that products you purchase or use have been produced in a manner that will ensure that they are safe and free from unreasonable risks. If a company manufactures or sells a product that is hazardous to the user, the company must be held liable for any injuries or fatalities that occurred due to the faulty product.
If you have suffered because of the effects of acetaminophen, you will require the representation of a Pennsylvania experienced products liability attorney from Cherry, Fieger, and Marciano, LLP to handle all of the complexities involved with this type of case. There are many steps to a product liability case, beginning with proving that the product was in fact defective, next proving the product was the cause of the injury, and finally proving that the product was not used unreasonably. Please contact our firm today to discuss your case with an experienced legal professional.
