Often times after visiting a doctor, we are told to take medications to relieve certain pains or discomfort. We follow our doctor's orders closely, trusting his or her judgment. However, if doctors fail to make correct decisions regarding pain medication serious complications can result.

Even seemingly harmless over-the-counter painkillers can be dangerous if the appropriate dose is not taken, a new study has revealed.

The study, which was conducted in Scotland and published Nov. 22 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, showed that taking too much parcetamol, or acetaminophen as we call it in the states, could have deadly consequences.

Researchers studied 663 patients who were admitted to Scottish hospitals between 1992 and 2008 with paracetamol-induced liver damage. Of these patients, 161 had experienced what the researchers called "staggered overdoses," usually after trying to relieve common pains like muscle aches or headaches.

These staggered overdoses were most likely to result in liver damage, brain damage and even death, the researchers found. In fact, the study showed that 37 percent of patients with staggered overdoses died, while 28 percent of patients died as a result of a single overdose.

The researchers said that people who arrived at the hospital a day or more after an overdose were also at a higher risk of dying or needing a liver transplant.

So what do you need to know about overdosing on over-the-counter pain medication?

A staggered overdose can result from taking two large doses of painkillers within a 24-hour period, or taking two or three extra pills over several days, researchers said. Also, if you believe you have overdosed on pain medication, seek medical attention immediately.

Ultimately, what this study shows is that the maximum recommended daily dose on labels should be followed exactly, and your doctor should never tell you to take more than this.

If your doctor does instruct you to take more than the recommended amount of pain killers and injury results, it could be considered medical malpractice.

Source: CBS News, "Popular painkiller can be deadly even in small overdoses," Ryan Jaslow, Nov. 23, 2011.