Is extra-strength acetaminophen better? - Analgesics - medical research - Brief Article

True or false, extra-strength acetaminophen gives greater relief from pain and headache than regular-strength? According to a report in The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics, there are no published data showing that 1,000 mg (two extra-strength tablets) is more effective than 650 (two regular-strength ones) in treating everyday causes of pain such as headache or osteoarthritis.

The Food and Drug Administration has mandated that a stronger warning about potential serious liver injury at higher-than-recommended doses be added to the labeling for acetaminophen products. The Medical Letter indicates that usual doses of acetaminophen are not likely to cause hepatoxicity even in people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol. Recommended doses can be dangerous, however, when people take them with one or more of the many "combination products" containing acetaminophen, or any two of these products simultaneously.

Some common over-the-counter acetaminophen combinations include various products of brands such as Alka-Seltzer, Benadryl, Comtrex, Contac, Coricidin, Dimetapp, Drixoral, Excedrin, Goody's, Midol, Percogesic, Robitussin, Singlet, Sinutab, Tavist, TheraFlu, Triaminic, Vanquish, and Vicks. Since acetaminophen turns up in so many of these products, why take extra-strength dosages when regular-strength may do just as well?

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