Dangers of Acetaminophen Overdose

Acetaminophen, the aspirin-free pain reliever found in many medications such as Tylenol, has been around for so long, you might assume that it’s one of the safest pain relievers on the market – and when used properly, it is.  However, acetaminophen is also the leading cause of acute liver failure in the US, a statistic that emphasizes the dangers of acetaminophen overdose.

Now, no one purposely overdoses on this drug.  So how does it happen?  It seems that in most cases, over-dosage happens in one of two ways:

First, Acetaminophen appears to have become a victim of its own success.  It’s so effective, it’s being put into all kinds of medications – and there’s the problem.  If you take several different kinds of medications when treating flu symptoms, for example, chances are that several of them contain acetaminophen making easy to exceed the daily recommended dosage.

Another reason might be acetaminophen’s reputation for safety.  This drug has been around for so long that most of us take it for granted.  In fact, most of us don’t even consider it a “drug.”  It’s just something you reach for when you’ve got a headache, or a muscle sprain.  As a result, many Americans disregard the dosage recommendations thinking that “if 2 are good, then 4 are even better.”

The potential for liver damage has become so serious that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended lowering the maximum dosage amounts last June.  Until those recommendations get implemented, here’s what you can do to prevent inadvertently taking too much acetaminophen:

1. Try natural alternatives first. Before you reach for that bottle of Tylenol or Excedrin, ask yourself whether or not there might be natural, non-drug alternatives you can try first.  For example, a cup of hot tea and some soft music might soothe away that tension headache you brought home from work.  Heating a damp towel in the microwave and placing it on your knee or shoulder might relieve the soreness to a point you realize you don’t need the drugs.  Unless your doctor has specifically recommended taking acetaminophen, try some non-drug alternatives before automatically heading for the medicine cabinet.
2. Do not increase dosage amounts. If the label says to take 2 tablets, take only 2.  Taking more than the recommended amount can overload and possibly damage your organs, especially your liver, so make sure you do not take more than the recommended dose.
3. Do not exceed maximum daily amounts on the label. It takes a while for your liver to process this drug so even taking just a little more than the maximum dose for a few days can be toxic.  So read the label, then read the label again and make sure you don’t take more than the recommended daily amount.
4. Identify acetaminophen in other medications. Acetaminophen is put into many over-the-counter pain medications, including those sold for cold and flu symptoms, back and muscle aches, sinus headaches, menstrual aches, and fever relief.  Make sure you check the labels of ALL the medications and pain-relievers you’re taking.
5. Do not mix pain relievers. If you’ve reached the maximum daily allowance of Tylenol and are still hurting, do not switch over to Ibuprofen (ie: Advil) or some other type of pain-reliever.  All of these pain-relievers place a strain on your kidneys and liver.  Mixing them can not only increase that strain, it can create other dangerous side-effects.

Acetaminophen is still an effective pain-relieve that belongs in most homes.  However, it’s reputation for safety and it’s addition to many other medications makes it particularly easy to exceed the recommended daily maximum amount.  So make sure you read the labels of everything you’re taking, or giving to family members, and don’t hesitate to ask a healthcare professional if you’ve got questions or concerns.

Hiram
Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach and
Personal Fitness Trainer (NESTA)

Technorati Tags: acetaminophen, tylenol, excedrin, aspirin, liver damage, pain reliever, soreness, headache, overdose

Related Reading:

101 Fitness Myths101 Fitness Myths is NOT another "6 minutes abs" or "drop 14 lbs in 30 days" book, nor does it follow the latest fitness fad but a unique fitness book... Read More >

101 Workouts for Women: Everything You Need to Get a Lean, Strong and Fit PhysiqueMuscle & Fitness HERS magazine has provided a program of rapid-fire core workouts for those seeking to "get moving" on a weight-training fitness progr... Read More >

Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?: Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise

There's plenty of conventional wisdom on health and fitness—but how much of it is scientifically sound? The truth is: less than you'd think. Read More >

No related posts.