By: Korey DiRoma, Naturopathic Doctor
Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol and many cold and flu medications, has come under fire recently by the FDA. It has been known for many years that acetaminophen can damage the liver at high levels, but what most people are not aware of is that these levels are just 4,000mg per day. With extra strength Tylenol doses being 500mg each, this is only eight Tylenol per day. Acetaminophen is also in cold and flu meds such as NyQuil and Theraflu, so if combined with Tylenol, it is easy to lose track of the dosing. Also, if combined with alcohol or for habitual drinkers, say two glasses of red wine per night, the toxicity to the liver increases.
Acetaminophen overdose leading to acute liver failure is becoming more frequent. According to an FDA memo, 110,000 visits to the emergency room were related to acetaminophen, as well as several hundred cases of acute liver failure. Acetaminophen is also the number one reason people need liver transplants for acute liver failure, says Ronald Busuttil, chairman of surgery and chief of liver transplantation at UCLA Medical Center.
The FDA is proposing stricter and clearer labeling, and possibly coming with a black-box warning. They are also proposing to lower the maximum daily dosage of acetaminophen, and looking to remove acetaminophen from some prescription drugs such as Vicodin.
So what are our options for pain relievers?
Many people choose acetaminophen- containing products because they do not have the same gastrointestinal side effects as ibuprofen or naproxen. But acetaminophen is also not directly anti-inflammatory, but acts on our brain to reduce the sensation of pain. As a Naturopathic Doctor, I look to use a more holistic approach to pain management. There are many natural herbs, enzymes, and nutrients that are naturally anti-inflammatory, and best of all, with no side effects! Together with dietary modifications and the use of acupuncture, you can potentially be pain free without the use of toxic pain medications.
Thank you for your comment Virginia. Four extra strength Tylenol daily would give you 2000mg or 2 grams of acetaminophen daily. This is half the toxic daily dose of 4000mg or 4 grams. Just to be sure, I would recommend getting liver and kidney function tests provided by your health professional. The use of medical marijuana is illegal according to the federal government. There are certain states that have passed legislation for the use medical marijuana under specific guidelines for certain medical diagnoses and debilitating illness. New York is not one of these states and is still illegal to use.
I am 83, in good health except for osteoarthritis pain which is so bad I have to take double strength Tylenol for relief or Codeine with Tylenol in it. I take no other drugs, eat organically, and otherwise take good care of myself, including PT exercises and walking. WHat I want to know is if my use of tylenol listed below could over a long time cause organ damage.
I usually take two Tylenols once a day, but I never take more than four Tylenols in one day, or one 30 mg. codeine with the total of combined 1 gram of Tylenol. Occasionally I need two Tylenols twice a day.
I am also taking Meriva SR 4 caps a day, along with Glucosamine/Chondroitin,both of which are are very helpful, but not anywhere near enough. I also eat organic and very healthy. I simply do not think that natural products (of which I have tried many) alone can do the job, since I have had arthritis for over 20 years along with scoliosis since childhood.
I do drink a dinner glass of wine a couple days a week, sometimes within the dosage period of Tylenol.
It is the fact that recently I need pain relief almost every day that concerns me, since the FDA notices keep mentioning that one should not take Tylenol longer than the days recommended on the bottle in relation to their long term statements.
I am considering oral Marijuana as a natural substitue for Tylenol at least part of the time. What do you know about its safety in comparison?
Virginia Meyer