Tylenol, acetaminophen, dangerous in elevated doses - addicts at higher risk

  Addicts are at higher risk for liver failure using acetaminophen

The maker's of Tylenol and it's generic equivalent, acetaminophen, have been the subject of large scale government restrictions being placed on it due to the large number of liver failure deaths, and emergency room visits attributed to the drug. The restrictions call for lowering the single dose rate, and amount one can take over a 24 hour period. Acetaminophen is in many painkiller, and cold medications. The drug is the leading cause of liver failure in the US.

Many prescription drug addicts are taking massive amounts of the drug acetaminophen, found in the narcotic painkillers Vicodin, Percocet, Lorcet, Zydone, and others. Of course, narcotic addicts need to increase their dose as tolerance builds, and many are ingesting as much as 45 to 60 of these pills a day, sometimes more. The person in the video below was taking the equivalent of 700 Vicodin a day. Vicodin 750's contain 7.5 milligrams of the narcotic analgesic hydrocodone, and 750 milligrams of acetaminophen. Percocets come in 3 different strengths but the largest contains 10 milligrams of the narcotic analgesic oxycodone, and 650 milligrams of acetaminophen.

The government, concerned about the 50,000 emergency room visits per year associated with liver failure, 200 of which die, are attempting to lower that rate. With many people in the U.S. addicted to prescription drugs, and in particular, the narcotics hydrocodone, and oxycodone, usually found in compound with acetaminophen, most of the emergency room visits are probably addicts, and not first-time users.

Imagine, however, addicts taking between 45 and 60 Vicodin per day, as many do. That is 337.5 to 450 milligrams of hydrocodone, plus the liver BBQ'ing dose of 33,750 to 45,000 milligrams of acetaminophen. The amount staggers the mind, and you wonder how these people are even breathing still. But any dose that exceeds the recommended amount is asking for trouble, even when non-addicts fudge on their doses, taking maybe 1 or 2 extra pills at a time for that particularly hard day at the office, or home. The point here is, that even lowering the single dosage rate of acetaminophen to 650 milligrams isn't going to help those addicts ingesting 60 times the recommended single dose amount. And for those in between, and at the lower end of ingesting an increased dose, they too are still at risk. However, if the government's actions save at least one life as a result of the reduction in doses, it will have been worth it.

Office of Drug Control Policy

For addicts abusing these types of drugs, and there are many, including tween, teens, adults and the elderly, the government's concerns are well-intended, but its effectiveness will probably be negligible. It's like putting a bandage on a heart attack.

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If you or a loved one needs help with any type of drug abuse/addiction problem, contact these sites depending on where you live. SEMCA (Wayne County residents), CARE (Macomb County residents), PACE (Oakland County residents), Drug Free Detroit (City of Detroit residents). For those residing outside the State of Michigan, contact SAMHSA for assistance. For assistance with medical marijuana contact The Michigan Medical Marijuana Association, or Michigan Medical Marijuana Certification Center.

Addict up to 700 Vicodin per day