FDA Cautions: Common Pain Killers Risky

In response to a growing number of people suffering from acute liver damage, the FDA has issued cautions about the dangers of taking the over-the-counter pain killer acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol, Anacin-3, Tempra, Datril, and still other names abroad).

            This may come as a surprise to most of us, to whom the term “over-the-counter” is usually synonymous with “safe.”  However, we know now this is not the case, for acetaminophen toxicity is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the U.S. and may other Western countries.

Among other cautions, the FDA has recommended stronger warnings and stricter dose limits for drugs that contain acetaminophen because they pose an increased risk of liver injury to those who use them improperly.  For example, they have urged that the maximum adult daily dosage be reduced from the current amount of 4,000 milligrams to 3,250 milligrams.  They also have proposed a limit on the strength of immediate release versions of the drug and on the use of liquid formulations for children.

            We know the Alpha-Stim micro-current treatments to be a safe alternative or supplement to pain relief and pain management drugs. It is approved by the FDA to treat pain with no significant reports of side-effects. Adverse effects are usually mild and self-limiting. Out of approximately 4,541 patients in controlled, open, and uncontrolled conditions, by physician survey and reasonably associated with the use of CES are dizziness (6 cases, 0.13%), skin irritation/electrode burns (5 cases, 0.11%), and headaches (9 cases, 0.20%).