Multi-symptom cold medicines can be a convenient way to deal with a stuffy nose, cough and sore throat all at once. But before taking one, it's important to check the active ingredients label.

"The biggest issue with multi-symptom cold medicines isn't whether they work," says Dr. Joshua Septimus, a primary care physician at Houston Methodist. "It's that most contain acetaminophen, and people don't always realize they're getting it from multiple sources."

Why acetaminophen deserves your attention

When taken as directed, acetaminophen is generally safe for most people. Under physician supervision, it can even be taken daily for chronic pain management.

Problems arise, though, if you accidentally take more than intended.

"An overdose can be deadly," says Dr. Septimus. "In fact, acetaminophen overdose is one of the leading causes of liver failure and need for liver transplant."

How much acetaminophen is too much?

According to Dr. Septimus, adults should:

• Avoid taking more than 1,000 milligrams within six to eight hours

• Avoid taking more than 4,000 milligrams of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period

Going beyond these limits increases the risk of serious liver injury.

Why it’s so easy to double — or even triple — up

Because acetaminophen is found in everything from Tylenol to the never-ending variations of cold, flu and sinus medications, it's surprisingly easy to take more than intended.

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Let's say you wake up with a sore throat and decide to take a dose of cold medicine. Later, you take Tylenol for some lingering back pain. And maybe you even use another multi-symptom medication that day — one for sinus congestion, for instance. All the while, you don't realize that all three products contain the same active ingredient: acetaminophen.

(Related: Painkillers: Which OTC Medication is Right for Me?)

It’s why Dr. Septimus stresses the importance of reading the label, even when the products have different names or are marketed for different symptoms.

Who should skip multi-symptom cold medicines altogether?

For people who regularly take acetaminophen for chronic pain or another condition, Dr. Septimus recommends choosing individual medications rather than multi-symptom products.

"Anyone who chronically takes acetaminophen should not take multi-symptom relief medications — it’s just too risky. They should instead take individual medications."

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Dr. Joshua Septimus, primary care physician

This approach lets you target the symptoms you're experiencing without accidentally taking medication you don't need.

Other ways to ease cold symptoms

If you're concerned about accidentally doubling up on acetaminophen, another option is to skip multi-symptom products and treat the symptoms bothering you most.

(Related: How to Get Rid of Congestion)

"A lot of relief can come from local therapies rather than oral medications," says Dr. Septimus.

For example, he recommends:

• Saline sinus rinses to help clear congestion (be sure to use distilled water)

• Nasal steroid sprays to reduce inflammation

• Short-term use of nasal decongestant sprays

• Physician-prescribed inhalers for persistent coughing

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And if you do decide to take a cold medicine, taking a few seconds to read the label can help you avoid a potentially serious mistake.

"The most important thing is to make sure you're not taking acetaminophen in more than one medication at a time," says Dr. Septimus. "Just because products have different names doesn't mean they don't contain the same ingredient."