WEEKLY HEALTH BULLETIN June 17, 2009

THE TYLENOL SPECTRE

Why Do They Still Allow This Drug To Be Sold Over The Counter?

Many of you may know that Tylenol (acetaminophen) is the leading cause of drug induced acute liver failure. Over 50% of all cases admitted to the hospital are caused by this seemingly innocent, easily available, widely used non-prescription pain reliever.

In the U.S., acetaminophen results in 56,000 injuries, 25,000 hospitalizations, and 450 deaths every year. 10 total daily doses of 4000 milligrams – the maximum indicated on the bottle — are enough to put most people at risk. It can be as little as half that if drink alcohol or are nutritionally depleted. Poorly fed nursing home residents are especially at risk.

There’s more to this disturbing story. Here are more facts, presented at a recent Nephrology Review Course at Harvard Medical School June 12-14, 2009. They speak for themselves:

“Regular use of phenacetin-containing analgesics is associated with an increased risk of hypertension and morality due to cardiovascular disease as well increased mortality due to cancer and urologic or renal disease.”
New England Journal of Medicine 1991: 324: 155-160

Acetaminophen is the major metabolite of phenacetin, so from a practical standpoint, they are equivalent.

Here are more unsettling facts:

“People who often take acetaminophen or NSAIDs have an increased risk of end-stage-renal-disease (ESRD) but not those who take aspirin. 8-10% of ESRD was attributable to acetaminophen use.”
New England Journal of Medicine 1994: 331: 1675-1679

With over 60,000 new cases of ESRD (ESRD requires dialysis), that means 6,000 people a year – or 500 a month – are affected by this life altering, eventually fatal condition – all because of an over-the-counter pill used for pain relief that most people still believe is safe.

A fundamental problem with Tylenol is its ability to use up a major protective anti-oxidant called glutathione. Severe depletion is in fact the cause of liver failure. Milder depletion without progression to frank liver failure still compromises one of the body’s key defenses against oxidative stress and free radical damage.

With an effective botanical anti-inflammatory such as Zyflamend from New Chapter, I just do not see the need for a drug like Tylenol for anybody. Taking it on a regular basis violates good common sense. It should be removed from store shelves.

Alan Inglis MD
American Country Doctor

Note: I have no remunatory financial relationship with New Chapter