Tylenol associated with Liver Damage

Posted by Eddie FarahJuly 05, 2006 6:59 PM

A recent study appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed healthy adults who took the maximum dose of Tylenol for two weeks, developed abnormalities in liver test which could be a signal for liver damage

106 participants took four grams of Tylenol equivalent to eight extra-strength Tylenol tablets daily for two weeks. Some took Tylenol alone and some took with upload painkiller hydrocodone. 39 participants were given placebo.

No alarming liver test results were among those who took the placebos. However abnormal test results that could signal liver damage were reported in nearly 40 percent of remaining group's participants who took the acetaminophen.

Millions of people take acetaminophen for pain relief. Some of these people can't take aspirin because of its gastrointestinal effects, or can't take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen (Aleve). Use of Celebrex, one of the newer classes of NSAIDs called cox-2 inhibitors, is also controversial because of cardiovascular problems linked to two recalled cox-2s, Vioxx and Bextra.

Purdue Pharma LP, the make of Oxycontin, hired researchers to find out why abnormal liver tests were showing in people testing a combination drug containing acetaminophen and hydrocodone. The results were shocking. They determined that acetaminophen contained in Tylenol and not the interaction of hydrocodone was the cause.

Additionally, the leading cause of acute liver failure is the result of overdoses of acetaminophen.

The message to consumers is to pay attention to dosing and duration of use when taking acetaminophen (and other drugs). In particular, pay attention to "hidden" acetaminophen in other drug products.