Panel Votes to Reduce Strength of Painkillers

Boston (DbTechNo) - An advisory panel to the FDA have recommended that the FDA take a closer look into lowering the dosages of painkillers that can be purchased over the counter.

Each year in the US, up to 56000 trips to the emergency room are documented because of painkiller overdoses, because people either knowingly take more than they are supposed too, or are unclear of how much to actually take.

The common ingredient in painkillers that is drawing attention is acetaminophen, which if ingested in excess, can result in serious health problems including liver failure.

The advisory panel discussed possibly recommending that the single adult dose of painkillers be reduced, and the maximum dose be available only via prescription.

It will likely be months before the FDA rules on this matter, but when they do, it is key to note that they do not have to follow the recommendations of their advisory panels.