Can Acetaminophen Kill? FDA panel recommends smaller acetaminophen doses, painkiller bans.

Wayne Parsons — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:52:00 GMT

The CBS Evening News (4/30, lead story, 3:05, Couric) reported, "An FDA panel recommended today that prescription Vicodin [hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen] and Percocet [oxycodone and acetaminophen] be banned, and that over-the-counter Tylenol, Excedrin, Nyquil, and Theraflu contain stronger warning labels...The problem, according to FDA advisors, is that they all contain acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage."

The FDA "panel noted that patients who take Percocet and Vicodin for long periods often need higher and higher doses to achieve the same effect," the New York Times (7/30, A1, Harris) reports in a front-page story. "The two drugs combine a narcotic with acetaminophen," and the panel's vote to "recommend a ban on the combination drugs was one of 11 it took" at the meeting. The experts also recommended "that the FDA reduce the highest allowed dose of acetaminophen in over-the-counter pills...to 325 milligrams, from 500," and "to reduce the maximum daily dosage to less than 4,000 milligrams."

The Wall Street Journal (7/1, Favole) notes that the panel "of 37 doctors, pharmacists, and researchers voted on the recommendations Tuesday after spending two days discussing steps the FDA should take to reduce the number of acetaminophen overdoses. Gerald Dal Pan, director of the FDA's office of drug surveillance, said, "Whatever we do on any of these options, it will really affect the whole healthcare system." The agency also noted that the recommendation to pull "from the market a number of prescription products "may" affect 240 pending drug applications. But some on the panel opposed a sweeping withdraw of prescription acetaminophen combination drugs "that are widely used to control severe, chronic pain."

The AP (7/1, Perrone) reports. The panel decided that "if the drugs stay on the market, they should carry a black box warning, the most serious safety label available." Notably, "drug companies avoided the most damaging potential outcome with the defeat of [a] proposal to pull NyQuil and other over-the-counter cold and cough medicines that combine acetaminophen with other drugs."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons

New Law In Honolulu: City Council Bans Use Of Cell Phones While Driving

Wayne Parsons — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:33:32 GMT

The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday voted to ban drivers from using any mobile electronic devices. That means anyone holding a cell phone or other device while driving will be ticketed by the police. The fine will be about $97 and the law is set to be enforced starting on July 1st. Is it a problem?

Mayor Mufi Hannemann supports the law as do most hawaii residents. But is the law enforceable? The police say "yes".

Maj. Thomas Nitta said the department supports this ban.

"We strongly agree with this Bill 44 there are many reasons we should have this bill. The most important reason is to save lives," Nitta said.

There is an exemption for drivers to be able to use two-way radios. The Honolulu Star Bulletin story provides the background data that lead the Council to pass this measure:

The National Safety Council has determined that drivers using cell phones are four times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident, regardless of whether the phone is hand-held. However, the ban on hand-held phones is a good start that next year's Legislature should extend throughout the state.

The bill approved on Thursday by a Council committee also would prohibit the use of all electronic mobile devices while driving, intended to stop text messaging and video-game playing. A bill sponsored by Councilman Charles Djou that would have been limited to banning text messaging was rightly vetoed by Hannemann in February as unenforceable.

The mayor said he agrees with police that the "total prohibition" in the current version "would be more enforceable and acceptable." It allows some exceptions for emergency personnel and drivers using two-way radios on the job.

The bill should not encourage drivers to trade in their hand-held cell phones for hands-free devices in the belief the latter is safe. The use of either kind of cell phones is distracting, causing the driver to concentrate on the conversation rather than the road. Studies have shown that use of a cell phone -- hand-held or hands-free -- while driving is as dangerous as driving drunk.

KITV News reports that:

Six states and the District of Columbia already have cell phone bans in place.

"I think it should be banned. You shouldn't be able to hold on to your phone and talk. In fact, I think you shouldn't be able to talk on the phone at all while you are driving," one driver said.

Soon all drivers are going to have using hand free devices while driving. Wireless stores are stocking up on hands free devices.

"I heard the bill was going to be passing so we ordered three or four times what we usually order," one store manager said.

Be prepared to hear whining from all sorts of naysayers. They'll ask "what about pets in the car?" or "what about people eating while driving?" and the list will go on. My own opinion is that the use of cell phones is an epidemic and it is dangerous. I see the cases come into my law office where distracted drivers killing and maiming Innocent people. As an automobile accident attorney I hope never to have another one of these cases where cell phone use distracted the defendant driver.

I have written about this subject before because it bugs me: "Driving And Talking On Cell Phones Blocked By New Ignition Keys".

Other attorneys concerned about consumers and safety on the highways have also written about the subject across the country:

Proposed STANDUP Federal Act Driving to Save Lives - by Sandy Grinnell and Wooten, Kimbrough, Gibson, Doherty and Normand, P.A.

Tragic Accident Kills San Antonio Doctor – Is Cell Phone At Fault? - by Beth Janicek

What do you think about this new law? Do you use your cell phone while driving? Text? Twitter? And how about that dog in your lap? Or the foot long submarine sandwich and the hot coffee?

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons

Hawaii Personal Injury Blog - banned

Can Acetaminophen Kill? FDA panel recommends smaller acetaminophen doses, painkiller bans.

New Law In Honolulu: City Council Bans Use Of Cell Phones While Driving