The molecule acetaminophen, the active ingredient found in Tylenol® and many other over-the-counter pain relievers, is the number one cause of liver failure in the United States. This problem is so common that emergency room doctors and health professionals have even started using the term “Tylenol liver” to refer to the inflammation of this organ due to acetaminophen toxicity. The magnitude of the public’s obliviousness to the danger of acetaminophen is evident in the statistics. In 2003, acetaminophen toxicity accounted for 51% of all acute liver failure cases. Furthermore, acetaminophen poisoning is one of the leading reasons for emergency room visits in general. The most disturbing thing, however, aside from liver failure and emergency room visits, is the fact that acetaminophen toxicity can be lethal. In 2003, it was determined that roughly 250 adolescents and adults, as well as over 300 children, died from acetaminophen poisoning!
Part reason acetaminophen poisoning is such a problem lies in the high frequency with which it’s used over-the-counter and prescription formulations, including Actifed®, Benadryl®, Contac®, Dayquil®, Dimetapp®, Dristan®, Formula 44®, Midol®, Nyquil®, Robitussin®, Sinutab®, Sudafed®, Theraflu®, Triaminic®, and Vicks®. Acetaminophen is added to many prescription painkillers as well, including such medicines as Hydrocodone, Percocet, and Vicodin. Because acetaminophen is found in so many formulations, too much can be ingested from multiple sources, resulting in an unintentional overdose and possibly death..
One last thing to be aware of is the effect of acetaminophen and alcohol together. There is currently a very clear warning on bottles of Tylenol® that the medication should not be taken after two or more alcoholic beverages have been consumed. People who drink regularly or are currently inebriated are more susceptible to liver damage and failure due to acetaminophen. It is not surprising that in 14,619 (30%) of the 52,995 emergency room visits caused by acetaminophen in 2003, alcohol was also involved.
© 2016 Steve Farmer
