Tylenol warning
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 10, 2014
NUNAVUT
Nunavut's chief coroner says Nunavummiut have to be careful in how they use Tylenol after she attributed three deaths this year to the over-the-counter medication.
Padma Suramala says the drug is safe if used properly, but overdosing can and does happen, with sometimes fatal effects.
"Tylenol is effective in treating pain, but the risk of harm - when used in error - is high," Suramala stated in a release.
She said that this month a 45-year-old Iqaluit man suffered liver and kidney failure from a Tylenol overdose, and died as a result. In March, a 45-year-old Iqaluit woman died from Tylenol toxicity, she stated.
A 71-year-old elder died in April at Qikiqtani General Hospital due to Tylenol toxicity and liver failure. All three had been using the drug by prescription.
Suramala stated that doctors and pharmacists need to help users of the drug understand the possible dangers of going over the maximum daily dose.
Also, people have died from using the drug in combination with alcohol.
