The American Academy of Pediatricians announced new recommendations regarding the popular children's pain medication acetaminophen. The association maintains that the medication is generally safe, but is used in so many different products that it can lead to accidental overdoses. For instance, all Tylenol products contain acetaminophen. The guidelines are published in the October 2001 issue of Pediatrics.

Acetaminophen is popular with parents because it is not linked with Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal childhood illness associated with aspirin. In general, acetaminophen also causes less stomach irritation than aspirin.

Acetaminophen overdoses can cause serious liver damage. Children who suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, malnutrition, obesity, and certain viral infections, may be more vulnerable to acetaminophen related problems.

Parents may treat their children with several medications containing acetaminophen at one time without realizing it. Overdose symptoms include, but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. If prompt action is taken, overdoses can be successfully treated.

The Association also warns parents not to give adult medications containing acetaminophen to children. The adult medications may contain much higher doses of acetaminophen and can more quickly lead to overdose.