Each day, throughout the state of Pennsylvania individuals are injured due to negligence of another person or entity. This harm can take many different forms including car accidents, workplace accident and medical malpractice. One of the more commonly reported types of medical malpractice is medication overdose. While many are likely aware that too much of prescription narcotics can cause serious problems they may be less aware of over-the-counter drugs that can also be dangerous.

Used commonly by many to deal with headaches, the painkiller, sold as Tylenol, can be harmful to the liver of those who take too much. In the worst cases liver failure can occur. To avoid that condition it is recommended that the average user take no more than 4 grams of acetaminophen each day. Individuals considered elderly should not consume more than 3 grams within the course of each 24 hour period.

Recently two hospitals in a neighboring state looked into the issue of acetaminophen overdoses. The study utilized electronic health records culled from the hospitals to determine how many patients had been given more of the drug than is safe. The study determined that a total of 955 people out of 14,411 were given more than the recommended 4 grams. In the group of patients considered elderly, more than 20 percent received more than 3 grams in 24 hours. It is fortunate that none of the people in the study suffered serious repercussions.

One of the likely reasons for the overdose of the drug is the inclusion of it in other, more powerful drugs, such as Percocet and Vicodin. The inclusion of acetaminophen in these drugs is often overlooked. It is possible that future actions by the FDA could greatly reduce the frequency of acetaminophen toxicity.

Source: Reuters, "Many hospital patients get too much acetaminophen," Genevra Pittman, Nov. 13, 2012