CDA Essentials 2016 • Volume 3 • Issue 8

According to Health Canada 1 , acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of all serious liver injury in Canada, including acute liver failure, and accounts for more than 4000 hospitalizations in Canada each year. About 20% of overdoses are accidental, but the numbers are growing. A Toronto Star report 2 found that between 2000 and 2011 an average of 68 Canadians died each year because of acetaminophen overdose. The recommended maximum daily dose of acetaminophen for adults is 4 grams—about 12 tablets of Regular Strength Tylenol® (325 mg) or 8 caplets of Extra Strength Tylenol® (500 mg). Doses above 10 g per day in adults are generally considered to be damaging to the liver. However, the Health Canada report 1 found that, in some cases, acetaminophen-related liver injury was reported by individuals who ingested less than the maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen. In particular, people susceptible to liver injury, such as those with alcoholism or liver disease, may be at greater risk. Measures that would minimize the risk of acetaminophen overdose, such as decreasing the maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen and the unit dose for some products, are now being considered by Health Canada. Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturers of Tylenol, educates consumers on Dental patients often use acetaminophen through prescription or over-the-counter medicines for postsurgical pain relief or to treat a toothache, but dentists and patients may not fully appreciate the potential dangers of taking too much of this drug. N ews and E vents WHAT TOTELL YOUR PATIENTS about the safe use of acetaminophen