Warning: Too Much Tylenol May Kill You

Headaches and other minor pains are usually relieved by taking prescription drugs or medications that contain acetaminophen, like Tylenol. But when taking these drugs, you should be very careful about the dose because even slightly overdosing may be deadly.

According to Dr. Kenneth Simpson of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, it’s more possible to die from a “staggered overdose” – meaning you take the drug for several days or weeks – than from one large overdose. Thirty-seven percent of the people who took a staggered overdose of Tylenol died, compared to 28 percent of those who took one large overdose (link).

“Given the fact that Tylenol is one of the most common drugs in the world, with billions of doses purchased in the United States each year, you might be surprised to learn that taking just a bit too much, on a regular basis, could be deadly — but it’s a very real, and very significant, risk,” says Dr. Joseph Mercola.

Acetaminophen Products May Cause Acute Liver Failure

Acetaminophen drugs seem like a quick and convenient remedy for chronic pain, like toothaches, headaches, or backaches. This is why many people tend to increase their dose to help relieve the pain. Unfortunately, this can become an unintentional “staggered overdose,” which may lead to liver failure, liver transplant, and even death.

What’s even more disturbing about this is that many users do not associate the symptoms of drug overdose – namely vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain – with the Tylenol they ingested days or hours before.

Patients also usually do not mention ingesting it to their physician, and lab tests will not reveal high levels of it in their system. This delays treatment, which is dangerous because receiving medical help more than 24 hours after an overdose increases the risk of death or the need for a liver transplant, compared to those who got help sooner.

There are other serious health risks linked to acetaminophen use, such as:

• Blood cancer
• Brain damage
• Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and reduced lung function
• Increased blood pressure
• Hearing loss
• Autism spectrum disorder

Beware: Other Medications May Also Contain Acetaminophen

Dr. Mercola warns that aside from Tylenol products, Vicodin, Percocet, and other prescription painkillers also contain acetaminophen. Cold and flu and other over-the-counter (OTC) medications may also have this dangerous component.

“When many people have a cold, headache, or other ache or pain, they don’t just take two Tylenol and leave it at that. Many people double or triple-up, taking multiple OTC medications, all of which may contain acetaminophen,” Dr. Mercola adds.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked drug manufacturers to limit the amount of acetaminophen in their products to just 325 milligrams per dose (link). Manufacturers were also required to update their product labels to warn users of the potential risk of liver injury.

However, there are still over-the-counter Tylenol products that have over 325 milligrams per dose. They are not included in the limit but are easier to obtain, so make sure you watch out for these drugs.

Take This If You Use Acetaminophen Drugs

Acetaminophen-containing drugs must not be used for minor aches and pains. But for severe pain, like when you are recovering from surgery or an injury, these drugs can be helpful. If ever this happens, Dr. Mercola recommends taking N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), the rate-limiting nutrient for the formation of the intracellular antioxidant glutathione.

Tylenol and similar drugs damage your system by depleting glutathione, an antioxidant that helps prevent free radicals from wreaking havoc on your health. By maintaining high glutathione levels, the damage from the acetaminophen may be preventable. This is why people who overdose on Tylenol are given large doses of NAC when they are brought to the emergency room.

How to Relieve Pain Naturally

There are ways to relieve pain without using harmful medications and painkillers. Dr. Joseph Mercola recommends these simple and natural pain relief tools:

• Astaxanthin – This oil-soluble antioxidants has very potent anti-inflammatory properties and in many cases works far more effectively than many NSAIDs.
• Ginger – Also an anti-inflammatory, this herb offers pain relief and stomach-settling properties. Steep fresh ginger to make tea, or grate and mix it into your vegetable juice.
• Curcumin – Over 50 clinical studies have revealed its potent anti-inflammatory activity, and four studies have demonstrated its ability to reduce Tylenol-associated adverse health effects.
• Boswellia or Indian frankincense – This is one of Dr. Mercola’s personal favorites and has used it for many rheumatoid arthritis patients.
• Bromelain – Found in pineapples, this protein-digesting enzyme is a natural anti-inflammatory.
• Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO) – Found in fish and dairy butter, this oil acts as an anti-inflammatory “joint lubricant.”
• Evening Primrose, Black Currant and Borage Oils – These have gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that is useful for treating arthritic pain.
• Cayenne Cream or capsaicin cream – Acquired from dried hot peppers, this spice relieves pain by reducing the body’s supply of substance P, a chemical component of nerve cells that carry pain signals to your brain.

Yoga, acupuncture, meditation, hot and cold packs, and even a simple act like holding hands can also help relieve pain.

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