Quality Control Issues Regarding Children's Tylenol Worries Parents
McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, has been beset with problems relating to quality control issues at several of its plants. These issues led directly to a company recall of several versions of Tylenol medications for children. The recalls affecting certain liquid infants’ and children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl were directly related to deficiencies in the manufacturing process according to the FDA.
The recall was the result of factory quality control issues that could result in a particular version of the drug containing too much of the active drug ingredient or tiny metal particles that do not meet testing requirements.
The quality control issues relating to excessive amounts of the active ingredient ending up in some of the children’s Tylenol products are particularly troubling. The active ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen, and higher doses or prolonged use of acetaminophen has been linked to severe liver issues including liver failure. If your child has suffered severe adverse side effects associated with the infant or children’s version of Tylenol, your child may be entitled to compensation for any injuries. Our compassionate and dedicated attorneys have been helping families throuhout Georgia and the Southeast since 1984.
Johnson & Johnson and its McNeil unit may have more difficulty persuading parents to continue using its products because the recalls are linked to inadequate quality control issues at company plants, that could increase the risk of liver damage associated with the use of Tylenol and other products that contain the active ingredient acetaminophen. Acetaminophen can cause severe liver damage if taken in high enough doses and studies have shown that it is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S., accounting for 56,000 emergency room visits and over 450 deaths annually. It is particularly concerning that a person can suffer liver damage from taking the recommended dose of drugs containing acetaminophen like Tylenol. The FDA has indicated that 20% of those who suffered liver toxicity did not exceed the recommended dose. Some medical experts also believe that taking Tylenol over a period of a few days in a row may be sufficient to cause liver damage.
Tylenol is currently the most popular painkiller in the United States with over eight billion pills (tablets or capsules) of Tylenol sold each year. Although acetaminophen is an active ingredient in over 200 drugs, most of them do not have the name "Tylenol" on their labels. The quality control issues that have been involved in production of certain versions of Tylenol intended for children are serious enough to warrant the FDA forcing McNeil to close down a manufacturing facility.
Many people do not realize that they have liver disease because it may not manifest obvious symptoms immediately. Fifty percent of individuals with liver damage do not have symptoms. The most frequent symptoms can result from a variety of common ailments and include the following:
- Fatigue
- Water retention in the abdomen
- Lack of energy or motivation
- Confusion
- Itching
- Blood in the stools
- Yellow tone to the eyes and skin (Jaundice)
- Light colored stools
If you have taken drugs containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, and have serious symptoms, you should contact your physician. Liver damage can mean significant medical costs, life changes, surgery and even death. If you have suffered serious liver damage that you believe may be related to taking Tylenol or other products containing acetaminophen, our Georgia product injury attorneys will work in your best interest to help you get the compensation that you deserve. Our Georgia product liability lawyers are dedicated to providing exceptional service as part of our goal to be the best personal injury lawyers in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia.
Our experienced Georgia Tylenol injury claims lawyers are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.