In the United States, acetaminophen is widely available and included in hundreds of cold and cough remedies. Unfortunately, it can also be easily misused and has been responsible for deaths caused by suicide and unintentional poisoning.
Due to its potential dangers, acetaminophen is one of the most frequently banned or restricted drugs (pdf). Countries that have taken action against this pain reliever by limiting or banning drug combinations include the United Kingdom, Norway, India, Algeria, and Kyrgyzstan.
Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of liver transplantation in the country, according to a recently updated report by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). About 500 people die yearly in the United States due to complications from acetaminophen toxicity. Additionally, it leads to approximately 56,000 emergency department visits and 2,600 hospitalizations annually….