5 things to know about acetaminophen
updated 11:58 AM EST, Thu January 16, 2014
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Acetaminophen is a non-opioid analgesic and is used to treat mild or moderate pain
- It's the active in ingredient in Tylenol and many other over-the-counter medications
- The FDA has set the recommended daily maximum for adults at 4,000 milligrams
- Parents should carefully read drug labels to ensure they are giving the correct dose to kids
Here are five things you should know about this popular painkiller:
1. It's not great for muscle pain.
Acetaminophen is part of a
class of painkillers called non-opioid analgesics, which are used to
treat mild or moderate pain. These include acetaminophen, ibuprofen and
aspirin.
Non-opiod analgesics block an enzyme known as cyclooxygenase, or COX, according to Ewan McNicol,
an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Tufts University. COX helps
the body produce lipid compounds called prostaglandins that cause pain
and inflammation when your cells are injured. Blocking this enzyme,
therefore, helps prevent prostaglandins from causing you pain.
Most non-opiod analgesics
work in the peripheral nervous system, or the nerves not included in
your brain and spinal cord. But scientists believe acetaminophen works
primarily in the central nervous system, attacking a slightly different
form of the enzyme called COX-3.
"What this means to you
is that acetaminophen is great for headaches, fever and minor aches and
pains but won't reduce inflammation due to, say, a muscle sprain,"
McNicol explained.
2. It's found in more than Tylenol.
Though many people know
that acetaminophen in the active ingredient in Tylenol, it's also found
in many other over-the-counter drugs including (but not limited to) some
Excedrin, Robitussin and Sudafed products.
Acetaminophen is also
used in combination with opioids in prescription pain medications such
as Percocet, Vicodin and Tylenol with codeine.
To find out whether your
medications contain acetaminophen, read the drug label or the list of
ingredients in the patient information leaflet that came with your
prescription. Look for the word "acetaminophen" or the letters "APAP,"
an abbreviation sometimes used for the drug.
If you are still unsure, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
3. It's easy to accidentally take too much.
The FDA has set the
recommended daily maximum for adults at 4,000 milligrams. It's easier to
reach this limit than you might think; one gel tablet of Extra Strength
Tylenol, for example, contains 500 mg.
Taking too much
acetaminophen can lead to liver failure or death. Overdoses of the
popular painkiller are some of the most common poisonings worldwide,
according to the National Institutes of Health.
In April 2009,
the FDA introduced new labeling requirements for drug manufacturers.
Any product that contains acetaminophen must prominently identify the
active ingredient on its display panel and must warn consumers about the
potential for liver toxicity.
Consumers should not
take more than the prescribed dose of any medication that contains
acetaminophen, according to the FDA, and should avoid taking more than
one acetaminophen product at a time.
4. It's not the best way to fight a hangover.
Most of us have popped a
couple of painkillers after a night out to ward off a hangover. But
experts say you should choose carefully when opening the medicine
cabinet, especially if you're a chronic heavy drinker.
Taking acetaminophen with alcohol, even in small amounts, can increase your risk of liver damage and/or kidney disease.
Acetaminophen is
primarily metabolized in the liver, where it is turned into nontoxic
compounds that are eliminated through urination. But the liver needs
something called glutathione to do that. If your glutathione levels are
low -- which can be caused by chronic drinking, an unhealthy diet or
fasting -- the drug may be metabolized into a more toxic substance, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Liver damage may occur after taking as few as four or five extra-strength pills over the course of the day, one NIH publication on alcohol and metabolism says. And another study showed
that taking the recommended dose of acetaminophen with a small to
moderate amount of alcohol can increase your risk of kidney disease by
123%.
You may not notice the signs of liver damage right away, the FDA says;
some symptoms like loss of appetite and nausea can be mistaken for the
flu (or that hangover). If you suspect you're at risk, contact your
doctor immediately.
5. It's not like "a spoonful of sugar."
Children can take acetaminophen to fight pain or a fever, but parents should read drug labels carefully to avoid dosage errors.
The "directions" section of the label tells you whether the medicine is right for your child and how much to give, the NIH's website says
(PDF). "If a dose for your child's weight or age is not listed on the
label or you can't tell how much to give, ask your pharmacist or doctor
what to do."
Liquid acetaminophen for infants and children is now sold in the same concentration:
160 mg/5 mL. That means infants need less; acetaminophen products for
infants are usually packaged with an oral syringe instead of a dropper.
Parents should always use the measuring tool that comes with the medication, the FDA says -- never a kitchen spoon.
If your child takes too
much acetaminophen, seek medical attention right away. You can also call
the 24-hour Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.
From Around the Web
-
Elizabeth Banks Has the Best and Worst Walk of Shame Ever POPSUGAR Entertainment
-
4 Surgeries to Avoid AARP
-
What Students With ADHD Want to Tell Their Teachers Health Central
-
Homeowners Are In For A Big Surprise... Lifestyle Journal
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment-- or suggestions, particularly of topics and places you'd like to see covered