ADELPHI, Md. (AP) -- A panel of health experts has rejected a suggestion that NyQuil and other cough and cold medications that combine acetaminophen with other drugs be pulled off the market.
But the experts are recommending that the maximum dose listed for Tylenol and dozens of other painkillers with acetaminophen be reduced, to help reduce the number of deadly overdoses.
Acetaminophen is the key ingredient in Tylenol, Excedrin and other medications. It's one of the most widely used drugs in the country.
But despite years of educational campaigns, it remains the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S.
The experts advising the Food and Drug Administration voted Tuesday to lower the current maximum daily dose of non-prescription acetaminophen. That current maximum is 4 grams, or eight pills of a medication like Extra Strength Tylenol.
The panel also voted to limit the maximum single dose of the drug to 650 milligrams.
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