More consumers know to use OTC pain relievers appropriately
WASHINGTON — A nationwide survey conducted by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association Educational Foundation released Thursday shows a positive trend over the past six years: more people than ever are aware of how to use products containing acetaminophen safely and effectively, while avoiding the risks of accidental overdose and liver damage.
For example, more consumers agree it is “important not to exceed the dosing directions on the label” of pain relievers (increased to 96% in 2016 from 90% in 2010). And more consumers understand that “exceeding the recommended daily dose of acetaminophen may lead to liver damage” (increased to 90% in 2016 from 78% in 2010).
Educational efforts from healthcare providers, patient organizations, manufacturers and government agencies have all played a part in this trend in awareness. CHPA Educational Foundation is a founding member of the Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition, which established the Know Your Dose campaign in 2011 to educate consumers on how to safely use medicines that contain acetaminophen.
Other acetaminophen safe use and medicine safety programs launched in the past few years include FDA’s Safe Use Initiative, Johnson & Johnson’s Get Relief Responsibly, National Consumers League’s Life Smarts, and National Council on Patient Information and Education’s MUST for Seniors.
In addition to supporting and carrying out educational efforts, manufacturers of OTC medicines have made changes to medicine packaging to prominently display acetaminophen on products and labels. Manufacturers have also standardized the concentration of acetaminophen in liquid medicines for infants and children and included age-appropriate dosing devices with standardized markings to make it easier for parents to give medicine and to reduce pediatric acetaminophen dosing errors.
“Improving packaging and standardizing the concentration of acetaminophen in these medications have been important steps in equipping consumers to safely treat their symptoms,” reported Dan Budnitz, director of the Medication Safety Program for The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who is not affiliated with the CHPA study.
This 2016 research marks the third time CHPA Educational Foundation has surveyed consumers about acetaminophen safe use and risk awareness since 2010 to guide future educational initiatives.
For example, more consumers agree it is “important not to exceed the dosing directions on the label” of pain relievers (increased to 96% in 2016 from 90% in 2010). And more consumers understand that “exceeding the recommended daily dose of acetaminophen may lead to liver damage” (increased to 90% in 2016 from 78% in 2010).
Educational efforts from healthcare providers, patient organizations, manufacturers and government agencies have all played a part in this trend in awareness. CHPA Educational Foundation is a founding member of the Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition, which established the Know Your Dose campaign in 2011 to educate consumers on how to safely use medicines that contain acetaminophen.
Other acetaminophen safe use and medicine safety programs launched in the past few years include FDA’s Safe Use Initiative, Johnson & Johnson’s Get Relief Responsibly, National Consumers League’s Life Smarts, and National Council on Patient Information and Education’s MUST for Seniors.
In addition to supporting and carrying out educational efforts, manufacturers of OTC medicines have made changes to medicine packaging to prominently display acetaminophen on products and labels. Manufacturers have also standardized the concentration of acetaminophen in liquid medicines for infants and children and included age-appropriate dosing devices with standardized markings to make it easier for parents to give medicine and to reduce pediatric acetaminophen dosing errors.
“Improving packaging and standardizing the concentration of acetaminophen in these medications have been important steps in equipping consumers to safely treat their symptoms,” reported Dan Budnitz, director of the Medication Safety Program for The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who is not affiliated with the CHPA study.
This 2016 research marks the third time CHPA Educational Foundation has surveyed consumers about acetaminophen safe use and risk awareness since 2010 to guide future educational initiatives.