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Serious problems with "safe" over-the-counter drugs
2009-07-16 |
This week I‘m writing about a drug that is extremely toxic to the liver. In fact, it‘s the leading cause of acute liver failure in the U.S. Plus, since it doesn‘t kill you right away, many people assume that it‘s harmless, even in higher dosages. But now it seems even the FDA may admit otherwise. In fact, a panel of experts recently recommended the FDA adopt new restrictions on this drug.
I‘m talking about acetaminophen (the main active ingredient in Tylenol).
Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter analgesic (or painkiller). Lots of people use it to treat occasional aches and pains. In fact, it‘s one of the most used drugs on the market. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, nearly 20 percent of the adult men and women in the U.S. use it in any given week.
Safe enough for babies?
Unfortunately, many people assume that acetaminophen is a gentle pain-reliever that can‘t do much harm. It‘s safe enough for babies. It‘s got to be safe for you and me, right?
Well, that‘s not always the case. Just consider this...
Currently, the single dose limit for acetaminophen is 500 mg for adults. The daily limit is 4,000 mg (or eight Extra Strength Tylenol capsules) for adults.
But acetaminophen becomes toxic to the liver after a single dose of just 7,000 mg in adults. That‘s not even double the daily dosage. You can see how someone might inadvertently take too much if they were trying to manage their pain after a bad fall or following dental work.
If the FDA decides to adopt the advisory panel‘s recommendations (and I hope they do), the recommended maximum dosage would come down to 2,600 mg per day and 325 mg per single dose.
Too much of a good thing...
Many adults use acetaminophen every day to manage their chronic pain. They may even take triple or quadruple the recommended dose to handle their pain on a regular basis. This sets them up to reach the toxic threshold much more easily.
In addition, you can inadvertently reach toxic levels by mixing acetaminophen with other medicine. For instance, say you take an antacid to control your stomach upset. Maybe you also take an allergy pill to handle your springtime sniffles. Then you take a Tylenol when a tooth begins to bother you.
Well, guess what? This could put you at serious risk for liver failure. You may not realize it, but all three of these drugs can contain acetaminophen. In fact, many cold and allergy products on the market contain acetaminophen. Be careful to check the label on the following products, as they may contain acetaminophen:
- Alka-Seltzer Plus
- Bayer Select Aspirin Free
- Benadryl
- Cepacol
- Comtrex
- Coricidin
- Excedrine
- Feverall
- Nyquil
- Percocet
- Robitussin
- Sudafed
- TheraFlu
- Triaminic
- Vicks
- Vicodin
- Zicam
Isn‘t it amazing to see just how many non-painkillers out there also contain acetaminophen?
Now, don‘t get me wrong. Taking these medications for the occasional headache or sniffle is probably fine if you follow proper dosing guidelines. But if you‘ve got chronic pain that just won‘t go away, there are other options you should consider.
Getting rid of joint pain without drugs
If you‘ve got general aches and pains, you can also go for natural agents like white willow (the origin of aspirin), Boswellia, or bromelain. In terms of joint pain, I‘ve always recommended glucosamine and sometimes chondroitin.
In addition, you may want to consider addressing the root of your pain, instead of just masking it with painkillers. Have you ever given acupuncture or chiropractic adjustments a try? If you‘re willing to go that route, check out the American College for the Advancement in Medicine. It‘s a great resource for finding an established and skilled complementary health professional in your area.
Use caution with acetaminophen & alcohol
In closing, a note about acetaminophen and alcohol. You may not realize it, but drinking just one glass of wine with dinner puts demands on your liver. Add acetaminophen to the mix and you‘re asking for trouble.
In its early stages, liver failure due to acetaminophen toxicity can seem like the flu. If you experience nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal tenderness in your upper right quadrant, heart palpitations, or jaundice after taking any drug containing acetaminophen, seek immediate medical treatment. They could be signs of liver failure.
In the meantime, I‘ll keep you posted on any new acetaminophen regulation. I doubt Johnson & Johnson will give in without a fight. It‘s a billion dollar industry, after all. |
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