July 2009 www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com
The Hampton Roads Messenger
3
Acetaminophen and Liver Injury:
Black List
Q & A for Consumers
FROM pAgE 1
II, we began
thinking of
On June 29 and 30, 2009,
all the great
FDA held an advisory
leaders and
committee meeting in
p o w e r f u l
Adelphi, Md., about how to
a d v o c a t e s
address the problem of liver
of change
injury related to the use
within our
of acetaminophen in both
r e g i o n .
Dr. patricia Turner E.L. Hamm Sen. Yvonne Miller Bruce Smith patricia White
over-the-counter (OTC)
With HBO’s
and prescription products.
permission,
Acetaminophen is the
we thought it
generic name of a drug
quite fitting
found in many common
to document
brand name OTC products
directions and the directions on the
their stories,”
such as Tylenol, as well as prescription
medicine label.
said Gary
products such as Vicodin and Percocet.
McCollum.
Acetaminophen is an important drug,
You may not notice the signs and
and its effectiveness in relieving pain
symptoms of liver damage right away Each honoree
Dr. L.D. Britt Dr. Mary Christian Barbara Ciara Father Joseph green
and fever is widely known. This drug
because they take time to appear. Or, you
told of challenges and experiences
character, our family, and our church.”
is generally considered safe when
may mistake early symptoms of liver
that were painful; however, they each
used according to the directions on
damage (for example, loss of appetite,
emerged from them stronger than
The Honorable Yvonne Miller, the first
its labeling. But taking more than the
nausea, and vomiting) for something
before and made great contributions to
African-American woman to be elected
recommended amount can cause liver
else, like the flu. Liver damage can
the Hampton Roads region.
to the Senate and House of Delegates
damage, ranging from abnormalities in
develop into liver failure or death over of Virginia said that many people had
liver function blood tests, to acute liver
several days.
Dr. L.D. Britt, who is a leader in the
invested in her. A member of Church
failure, and even death.
healthcare industry and the first African-
of God in Christ (COGIC), she said
Acetaminophen is generally safe when
American to be appointed Professor
her church was deeply interested in
Q: What is acetaminophen?
taken as directed. To lower your risk
of Surgery in the Commonwealth of
developing young people. She was
of liver damage make sure you do the
A: Acetaminophen (pronounced:
Virginia, chose to “focus on being the
the first in her family to graduate from
following:
a∙seet•aminofen), is an active ingredient
best surgeon in the nation.” He said,
high school and college. When she
found in many OTC and prescription
• Follow dosing directions and
“At the end of the day, we have our
was elected to the House of Delegates
medicines to help relieve pain and
never take more than directed; even a
Black list Page 11
reduce fever.
small amount more than directed can
cause liver damage.
It is also found in combination with other
A “Congratulations” Card
active ingredients, called combination
• Don’t take acetaminophen for
medicines, which treat conditions such
more days than directed.
as:
for New Brides
• Don’t take more than one
By Carolyn Brown
• symptoms of colds and flu
medicine that contains acetaminophen
Social Security District Manager in Virginia Beach
at a time. For example, your risk of liver
• allergy
damage goes up if you take a medicine
Weddings are in season at this time of
that contains acetaminophen to treat a
year. If you’re planning to have one,
• sleeplessness
headache, and while that medicine is still
or know someone who is, make sure
Medicines containing acetaminophen
working in your body, you take another
you put Social Security on the to-do
are available in many forms, including
medicine that contains acetaminophen
list — because we may need to send
drops, syrups, capsules, and pills.
to treat a cold.
you a card. A new Social Security
card, that is.
Many people call OTC acetaminophen
Q: How can I tell which medicines
If you plan to exchange your maiden
by a brand name, Tylenol. Others may
contain acetaminophen?
name for a married name — including
know Percocet or Vicodin, which are
hyphenated names such as Smith-
A: Medicines have ingredients listed on
prescription brand names that contain
Jones — be sure you let us know.
their labels. On OTC medicines, check
acetaminophen and other active
the “Drug Facts” label under the section
ingredients to help relieve pain.
Telling us about your name change
called Active Ingredients. If your
shortly after your marriage will help
You might see acetaminophen
medicine contains acetaminophen, it will
us accurately keep track of your
abbreviated as “APAP” on prescription
be listed in this section. On prescription
earnings and will ensure that you and
medicines.
medicine containers, the label will say
your family get the Social Security gov/ssnumber and click on “Print an
“acetaminophen” or “APAP.”
retirement, disability or survivors Application Form SS-5.” You also
In other countries, acetaminophen may
benefits you’re entitled to. Also, if can call us at 1-800-772-1213 to
have a different name. For example,
Q: When should I talk to a doctor before
the Internal Revenue Service and obtain the form.
acetaminophen is known as paracetamol
taking acetaminophen?
Social Security records do not show We will need the completed
in the United Kingdom.
A: Talk to your doctor before taking the same name and Social Security application along with a marriage
Q. Are there risks from taking too much
acetaminophen if you number, your federal income tax certificate or divorce decree
acetaminophen?
refund could be delayed. verifying your old and new names.
• drink alcohol (three or more
If you continue to use your maiden If you were born outside the United
A: Yes, acetaminophen can cause serious
drinks every day)
name consistently throughout your States, you also need proof of your
liver damage if you take too much. It is
• have liver disease
working years, you do not need to U.S. citizenship or proof that you are
very important to follow your doctor’s
contact us. But if you decide to lawfully living in the U.S. You can
change your name at a later time, you bring or mail these documents to us.
acetaMinoPhen pAgE 5
should let us know so that we can
update your Social Security record So remember: if you are getting
and send you a Social Security card married and changing your name, let
with your new name. us know. You may already have a
There’s no need to pay a third party slew of cards congratulating you, but
to mail in the information for you. we’d like to send you a new card of
Changing your name with Social our own.
From
Security is a quick, easy and free
service. You’re welcome to visit Learn more about your Social
your local Social Security office. Or Security card and number at www.
just go online to www.socialsecurity. socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
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