Recent studies have indicated that there is a direct correlation between liver damage and the consumption of acetaminophen or Tylenol. Many people have recently suffered from liver damage due to consuming too much acetaminophen or Tylenol. Some people have even also experienced liver damage after consuming Tylenol or acetaminophen in regular doses. While only certain Tylenol products have been recalled, that does not rule out the potential harm other Tylenol products may cause after consumption.

Many people who suffer from liver damage from using Tylenol products opt to pursue legal compensation from the manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson and McNeil Consumer Products, for the health damages accrued from using certain products.

Tylenol Recalls and FDA Warnings

In 1982, Johnson & Johnson issued one of the largest and most prominent recalls in the company’s history after it was discovered that the packaging of certain Tylenol products had been tampered with and the medicine had been poisoned with cyanide. While that would hardly seem to contribute to concern nearly 3 decades later, the latest controversies involving Tylenol involve similar oversight and neglect by the manufacturers.

Most notably, the Tylenol products that have been recalled – Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets, 8-Hour, Arthritis Pain, Cold, Allergy, Sinus, Cold Liquid, PM, Children’s Tylenol, and Extra Strength Rapid Release Gels – have also featured packaging oversights, but namely there have been cases of increased doses of acetaminophen, which can lead to liver damage.

How Acetaminophen and Tylenol Overdose Can Cause Liver Damage

When a person has consumed too much acetaminophen or Tylenol, the enzymatic pathways of the liver become blocked or overtaxed. The molecular remains of the acetaminophen stay within the liver even after it has been metabolized. The molecular residue left behind by Tylenol is toxic to the liver. As the residue accumulates in the liver, it causes damage. In certain circumstances, too much molecular residue can even cause acute liver failure.

Tylenol and Other Medications

Other factors can also contribute to Tylenol overdose. People who use certain medications such as Phenobarbital, anti-tuberculosis medicine, and anti-seizure drugs are at a higher risk of suffering from liver damage when consuming acetaminophen or Tylenol.

Factors that may also contribute to acetaminophen and Tylenol overdose include chronic use of alcohol, as well as a poor diet. Individuals who suffer from chronic alcohol use or poor diet contribute to the depletion of the liver’s glutathione, which is vital to detoxifying the liver.

Filing a Tylenol Lawsuit

If you’ve suffered from a damaged liver due to acetaminophen or Tylenol overdose, a lawsuit could be the most viable option for you. The money you receive from a successful lawsuit against Tylenol can help you cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages accrued from your ailment. Contacting a personal injury attorney who is well-versed in pharmaceutical recalls, dangerous drugs, and other medication-related lawsuits can help you start your case.