The interval for taking the medicine will also change from 2 pills every 4 to 6 hours to 2 pills every 6 hours.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the makers Tylenol of announced the change to help prevent overdoses of acetaminophen.

Although acetaminophen is safe when used as directed, it is part of over 600 over-the-counter and prescribed medicines.  Maximum doses can be exceeded when people take several different medications at the same time, and too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage.

In addition to labeling changes, McNeil has launched several websites to help consumers understand acetaminophen risks and discover what medicines they are taking that include acetaminophen.

• Get Relief Responsibly has facts about acetaminophen and risks to the liver.
• Find out which of your medicines include acetaminophen and print out a list for your doctor.
• Learn how to read a drug facts label.

Cancer patients need to know that pain medicines such as Percoset®, Vicodin®, and oxycodone/APAP all contain acetaminophen.  Check the labels carefully for the amount of acetaminophen and don’t exceed the recommended daily dosage for all sources of acetaminophen.  Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more help.

A full list of recalled products and the lots has been posted on the FDA site.

Consumers have noticed a moldy, musty, or mildew-like smell when opening the medicines that has sometimes been associated with nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhea.  Effects have been temporary and not serious.

McNeil has traced the odor to small amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA).  TBA results from a breakdown of a chemical that is sometimes applied to wood pallets used to store and transport cases of the over-the-counter drugs.

The health effects of TBA haven’t been well-studied, according to McNeil, but there are no reports in medical literature of serious problems connected with it.  However, the company is continuing to investigate the issue and will no longer use pallets treated with TBA-associated chemicals to ship products.  They have also asked companies who ship supplies to their plants not to use treated pallets.

More information about the product recall is on the McNeil Product Recall website including:

• Full listing of recalled products with pictures of packaging, UPC codes, and lot numbers
• How to return items for refund or replacement
• How to dispose of recalled medicines safely

McNeil tells consumers not to empty unused medicines in the sink, toilet, or storm drain.  If possible, they should be taken to a pharmacy or community “take-back” program.  Otherwise, they should be securely sealed in an unrecognizable container where children or pets do not have access and thrown in household trash.

A link to SMARxTDisposal.Net has more information about safely disposing of unused medicines.  SMARxT recommends combining medicines with kitty litter, coffee grounds, or similar materials to make them less attractive for children or pets to eat.

More information can be obtained by calling McNeil Consumer Healthcare at 888-222-6036.