WASHINGTON — Johnson & Johnson and other makers of cold and fever medications said Wednesday that they will discontinue infant drops of medicines containing acetaminophen in an effort to avoid confusion that can lead to dangerous overdoses.
The industry association for over-the-counter medicine companies said its members will begin phasing out the liquid drops this year.
After the transition is complete, companies will sell only a single formula for all children under the age of 12. Currently, Johnson & Johnson and other companies market infant formulations that contain half the amount of acetaminophen as that found in regular children’s formula.
Acetaminophen is a ubiquitous pain reliever and fever reducer found in Tylenol, Nyquil and thousands of other medicines used to treat flu, headache and sore throat.
While generally safe when used as directed, acetaminophen is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S., and overdoses send more than 50,000 people to emergency rooms each year.
The announcement late Wed nesday appeared timed to head off debate about the products at a Food and Drug Administration meeting scheduled for later this month. The FDA has called the meeting to discuss whether additional instructions and safety labeling are needed when acetaminophen products are used in children younger than 2.
