Cheeky Kid,
Actually, the potential for acetaminophen-induced liver damage has long been known in medical circles, and that alcohol--also known to be harmful to the liver--in combination with acetaminphen can be a deadly potion. Suicides attempted with acetaminophen overdoses are particularly tricky animals to treat. It's been a while since I reviewed this, but last I heard the treatment of choice for acetaminophen overdoses was--are you ready for this?--an asthma medication, nebulized Mucomyst.
Now, you might wonder, how come the public at large was not sooner made aware of the potential perils of this common over-the-counter drug. Well, there is no good reason, really, except that the media have had other, more glamorous fish to fry, such as the problem with Michael Jackson's nose and other similar sagas of momentuous proportion. Those kinds of stories sell more papers and TV advertising time.
I'm with Janice. Make mine aspirin, but with a red wine chaser, preferably a 1978 Zinfandel from one of my favorite Napa County vineyards. Now that's relief!
Holly |
