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Tylenol Liver Damage Lawsuit
Tylenol and similar acetaminophen analgesic painkillers are the leading cause of liver failure resulting in at least 450 deaths, 50,000 emergency hospitalizations, and another 25,000 treated for serious liver problems every year in the United States, says a report of the FDA. An overdose of the over-the-counter medication widely used to treat pain, cold, flu, and allergies is likely to cause toxicity that damages the liver and may require a liver transplant.
Tylenol Liver Damage: The Facts
- The FDA allowed acetaminophen medication in 1951. McNeil, now a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, introduced Tylenol, an acetaminophen drug, to treat pain and fever. It also introduced Tylenol Elixir, an analgesic without aspirin.
- The manufacturer warned of liver damage from the combination of the drug with alcohol in 1994. This came after a former presidential aide underwent a liver transplant required after taking Tylenol with wine.
- In 1997, label changes on Tylenol warned of serious health risks in children following the intake of more than the prescribed the drug dosage.
- In 1997 and 2002, an expert panel advised FDA to mandate all acetaminophen drugs to carry warnings for liver damage risk. However, the regulator warned of liver damage from Tylenol-alcohol combination only.
- The manufacturer added the liver damage warning to Tylenol in 2004 and the FDA converted it into a black box warning in June 2009 after a working group set up by it hinted at the high risk of liver failure caused by drug overdose and suggested limiting capacity of pills to 325 mg each.
- In January 2011, the FDA asked the manufacturer not to sell acetaminophen exceeding 325 mg per pill or tablet after January 2014. It also added boxed warnings on all acetaminophen medications for liver failure and allergic skin reactions similar to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
- Two months later, the Justice Department overtook its three Tylenol plants and began investigation against Johnson & Johnson for violation of standard manufacturing practices.
- In May 2011, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association termed announcement by over-the-counter drug manufactures to not include acetaminophen in infant drops as a ploy to reduce dosage errors.
- Johnson & Johnson advised not to take Tylenol cumulative dosage beyond 3,000 mg per day.
Tylenol Liver Damage Studies
In July 2012, a study published in the Liver Transplantation journal uncovered how those suffering from liver problems caused by acetaminophen, the main element of painkiller Tylenol, were more likely to have worse mental and physical health than those with liver failure from other reasons. Attributed to scholars from Michigan University, the research report analyzed case studies of over 280 patients to find out lower quality of life for those with Tylenol liver problem. A 2011 British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology report also linked overdose of the drug to liver damage. Based on the study of 663 acetaminophen liver injury cases, it warned of possible death or liver failure from “staggered doses” of Tylenol.
A New York newspaper published a report in August 2013 highlighting how teens were increasingly turning to over-the-counter Tylenol to commit suicide through liver damage. This comes on the heel of another report on the Social Science Research Network that accused the manufacturer of promoting its drug through kickbacks to doctors.
Tylenol Recalls
- In 2008, Johnson & Johnson made a secret attempt to withdraw a Tylenol product from the market through contractors. Later, the disclosure led to Tylenol lawsuits.
- Recalled Children’s Tylenol for bacterial contamination in September 2009
- Two recalls of Tylenol Caplets for arthritis pain twice in the next two months.
- Tylenol recalled gain in January and June 2010 citing manufacturing and labeling problems.
- Children’s Tylenol recalled in March, April, and July 2010 because of quality issues.
- In November 2010, the next recall of Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Liquid was done citing labeling error.
- A number of Tylenol products were withdrawn for contamination.
- Another recall in June 2011 citing gastrointestinal problems linked to Tylenol.
- Dosing problems led to February 2012 Infants’ Tylenol recall.
Tylenol Lawsuits
Over 100 Tylenol lawsuits are pending for trial in various federal courts. In February 1993, Antonio Benedi, a special assistant to President George W. Bush, went into coma after liver failure, attributed to his taking of Tylenol for flu treatment. The 37 year old then had to undergo a liver transplant for survival. He won $8.8 million in damages after the court ruled in his Tylenol lawsuit favor, claiming that the manufacturer failed to inform patients about liver damage linked to the drug.
In January 2012, parents of a toddler who died because of Tylenol-induced liver failure sued Johnson & Johnson following disclosure of the secret market recall of the medication. This was followed by another Tylenol lawsuit in June by a Florida woman who suffered liver failure within a few days of taking the drug. Though her dosage was within the limit prescribed, Tylenol toxicity led to her liver damage. A Massachusetts woman had liver failure within two weeks of treatment with Tylenol.
Helping You
As lawyers that represent persons who have been injured by defective medical devices and prescription drugs, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss your case with you. Our team of attorneys and support staff will review your potential case for free and will accept medical device and prescription drug cases on a contingency basis, meaning you do not owe us a fee if we do not recover monies for you by settlement or judgment.
If you or a loved one took Tylenol and has been diagnosed with liver damage,please fill out the form to the right or call us so that we can provide you with forms to evaluate your potential case immediately.
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