Tylenol Liver Damage - Do You Have It?

Tylenol is currently the most popular painkiller in the United States. Americans take over 8 billion pills of Tylenol each year. However, concerns have been raised that the acetaminophen in Tylenol can cause an abnormal liver. It's been proven that taking too much Tylenol can also cause liver failure. In this article, we'll examine the reasons why Tylenol liver damage can occur and who is most at risk for complications.

Medical professionals have identified that large doses or long-term use of acetaminophen, which is the generic name for Tylenol, can cause liver damage and may lead to liver failure and death. An overdose of this drug is the leading cause of Tylenol liver damage and liver failure in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. The severity of this problem has lead to several studies and an educational campaign launched by the FDA. The American Liver Foundation states that acetaminophen is a safe drug but turns into a hepatotoxin when dosed incorrectly or when taken with other medications and/or alcohol.

Consumers with decreased liver function, kidney disease, hepatitis, malnutrition, AIDS, chronic ethanol abuse, or anorexia nervosa may be at increased risk for liver damage if they are taking Tylenol. For diabetics, acetaminophen may also affect the results of blood glucose (sugar) tests. Some acetaminophen drugs may contain aspartame, sulfites or caffeine. While Tylenol has been on the market for 50 years, many professionals feel that the proper dosage for children and adults is still unknown and more testing and education is necessary to prevent liver damage and accidental deaths.

For people who may be susceptible to liver damage, it's important to remember that acetaminophen is found in numerous other products. Some over-the-counter drugs that contain acetaminophen include Actifed, Anacin, Benadryl, Cepacol, Contac, Dayquil, Dimetapp, Dristan, Excedrin, Midol, Nyquil, Robitussin and Vicks. If you are at risk of acetaminophen related complications, then it is essential that you closely read labels on over-the-counter medications and consult the pharmacist for additional information.

On their web site, www.tylenol.com, the company urges consumers to look after the health of their liver and state, "You should not take two or more products that contain acetaminophen at the same time. Taking more than the recommended dose (overdose) of acetaminophen may cause liver damage." In spite of concerns about Tylenol liver damage, researchers and scientists agree that patients who really need Tylenol should not stop taking it. If you are concerned about the effects of Tylenol on your health, then you should discuss the medication with your doctor before switching.

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