In an Aug. 30 video, “New Tylenol cap will have warning label,” CNN Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen points out that accidental acetaminophen overdoses are responsible for 500 deaths and 56,000 emergency room visits each year. Such overdoses can lead to sudden liver failure.
McNeil Consumer Healthcare division of McNeil-PPC, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, announced new safety reminders on Tylenol bottle caps “that will help you use acetaminophen appropriately.” Its website notes:
“Beginning in October, consumers will start to see a message on the caps of Extra Strength TYLENOL® that tells them the product contains acetaminophen and will instruct them to always read the label. The new cap message is designed to help encourage appropriate acetaminophen use and help reduce the risk of accidental overdose. With more than 600 OTC and prescription medications containing acetaminophen on the market, this is an important step because it will help remind consumers to always read the label.” Specifically, the top of the cap includes the words "Contains Acetaminophen Always Read The Label" in large red lettering.
To further help consumers understand labels, Tylenolprofessional.com even offers a pdf entitled, “How do I read a drug facts label?” (hcpgo.to/035)
Healthcare Packaging Contributing Editor Dr. Michael Drues probes more deeply into the Tylenol issue in a You Tube podcast/video, "What is Safety?-Tylenol." (hcpgo.to/036)
