news flash from FDA…soon…sunless tanning!
Several weeks ago I detailed some problems with the common over-the-counter pain reliever acetaminophen (otherwise known as paracetamol, and the biggest U.S. brand name is Tylenol). The issue is that this medication, even in what many consumers feel is a safe dose, can lead to permanent liver damage.
Just today there was a big FDA meeting in Maryland, and a number of recommendations were made (likely to be accepted by the full FDA) which will soon limit your choices for OTC and prescription pain relievers. The committees voted to limit the maximum pill size from 500 to 325 milligrams for acetaminophen, and lower the accepted maximum daily dose to well under the current 4000 milligrams. Further—and significant for many people in chronic pain—it looks like Percocet and Vicodin, two exceedingly popular drugs that mix acetaminophen with a stronger narcotic, will be banned. Read more details here
Normally I publish a post on Monday or Tuesday, and again later in the week. This week has been particularly busy for me, so…sunless tanning, part III of the sunscreen series, will be posted later in the week rather than today. In the meantime, if you are lucky enough to have sun where you are, I suggest you put on a good sunscreen and get outside!
