Acetaminophen Overdose

Acetaminophen Overdose Is Far Easier Than You Might Think

Tylenol has been featured in the news again, as its risks are becoming more widely acknowledged. Consumer Reports also criticized the US Food and Drug Administration is not doing enough to keep consumers safe from potentially serious side effects.

As noted by Time Magazine,1 prescriptions for opioid painkillers have risen by an incredible 300 percent over the past 10 years, but the excessive use of over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers like acetaminophen is equally troublesome:

"Acetaminophen, which includes Tylenol and other generic brands, causes more than 80,000 emergency room visits each year because people often aren't aware they're taking too much."

Part of the problem is that acetaminophen can be found in more than 600 different drugs, from cold and allergy medications, to fever reducers and sleeping pills, and many people fail to add all these sources together when taking several different remedies and/or prescription drugs.

Many of the dangers associated with narcotic painkillers (opioids) are also related to these drugs being mixed with acetaminophen.

Factors That Increase Risks Associated with Acetaminophen

Please beware that your risk of severe liver injury and/or death increases if you:

Take more than one regular strength (325 mg) acetaminophen when combined with a narcotic analgesic like codeine or hydrocodone

Take more than the prescribed dose of an acetaminophen-containing product in a 24-hour period

Take more than one acetaminophen-containing product at the same time. Make sure to read the list of ingredients on any other over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drug you take in combination.

Drink alcohol while taking an acetaminophen product. Research10 suggests that acetaminophen also significantly increases your risk of kidney dysfunction if taken with alcohol—even if the amount of alcohol is small.

Combining alcohol with acetaminophen was found to raise the risk of kidney damage by 123 percent, compared to taking either of them individually. Besides alcoholics,12 young adults are particularly at risk as they're more likely to consume both.

Non-Drug Options for Pain Relief

Chiropractic: Many studies have confirmed that chiropractic management is much safer and less expensive than allopathic medical treatments, especially when used for pain, such as low-back pain. Qualified chiropractic, osteopathic, and naturopathic physicians are reliable, as they have received extensive training in the management of musculoskeletal disorders during their course of graduate healthcare training, which lasts between four to six years. These health experts have comprehensive training in musculoskeletal management.

By Dr. Mercola

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/14/tylenol-opioid-acetaminophen-overdose.aspx?e_cid=20140814Z1_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20140814Z1&et_cid=DM53624&et_rid=621312456

Newsletter Signup

Sign up now for more articles

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Lifestyle Chiropractic & Massage

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed