Separate Tylenol products containing acetaminophen for infants and children will continue to be sold in Canada at their current concentrations, despite a change in the United States.
On Wednesday, Johnson & Johnson and other makers of cold and fever medications in the United States said they will discontinue infant drops of medicines containing acetaminophen in an effort to avoid confusion that can lead to dangerous overdoses. After the transition is complete, companies will sell only a single formula for all children under the age of 12.
McNeil Consumer Healthcare division of Johnson & Johnson Inc. (Canada) said in a release Thursday that there is no plan in Canada to move to a single concentration for infants' and children's Tylenol products.
In Canada, the concentration of acetaminophen and dosing directions for pediatric products is regulated by Health Canada. The labelling standard governing these products in Canada was updated in late 2009.
Currently in the United States, J&J and other companies sell infant formulations that contain half the amount of acetaminophen as that found in regular children's formula.
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever found in Tylenol, Nyquil and thousands of other medicines used to treat headaches, fever and sore throats. While safe when used as directed, acetaminophen is the leading cause of liver failure in the United States and sends thousands to the emergency room annually.
Users should always carefully read and follow label instructions.
Caregivers who have questions can call Johnson & Johnson Inc.'s Canadian consumer contact centre at 877-414-7711.
The Canadian Press with files from The Associated Press