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In 7 European countries, overdoses of a common painkiller cause one-fifth of all cases of liver failure that require a transplant, a study finds. But this is much more common in some countries than others. Researchers found 600 cases of short-term (acute) liver failure that led to liver transplants in a 3-year period in these countries. Of these, 111 were caused by an overdose of paracetamol. This is the drug known as acetaminophen (Tylenol and generics) in the United States. It is safe to use in recommended doses. But it can cause liver failure in large doses, especially when combined with alcohol. In this study, two-thirds of the overdoses were suicide attempts. Overdose rates varied widely from country to country. Paracetamol overdose caused 52% of the cases of liver failure leading to transplant in Ireland, but only 1% in Italy.

About one-third of U.S. hospitals still send formula home with new mothers even if they are breastfeeding, a new study shows. But the practice has become much less common in the last few years, the study found. The study was based on a national survey of hospitals and birth centers. In 2007, 73% of hospitals reported that they sent breastfeeding mothers home with formula for their babies. That fell to 32% in 2013. The study author said this is an encouraging trend. Doctors recommend that babies receive only breast milk for the first 6 months of life. But this happens for only 19% of babies born in the United States. Women who give their babies some formula are less likely to stick with breastfeeding. The journal Pediatrics published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it May 26.