Tylenol is the trademarked form of the medication we commonly know as paracetamol or acetaminophen. This is one of the most frequently consumed painkillers in the US nowadays, but also the most destructive one!
Did you know that almost 500 individuals die whereas 30,000 end up in the hospital on a yearly basis in the US due to the toxic side effects associated with the intake of Tylenol?
Tylenol is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and is primarily used for fever and pain relief in children and adults. However, not everyone is well aware of the actual side effects of this medication and the associated risks.
Also, they’re not familiar with the fact that safer and natural alternatives are available and documented thanks to a growing amount of clinical and biomedical literature.
Safer Options to Choose Instead of Tylenol
In an article published in 2017 in the Journal of Hepatology named “Public Health: Acetaminophen (APAP) Hepatoxicity- Isn’t It Time for APAP to Go Away?” the researchers summarized the concerning reality of the toxicity issues associated with Tylenol.
They noted how acetaminophen is the most frequently used drug to alleviate pain and fever globally.
But, this drug can also trigger dose-associated hepatocellular necrosis which is responsible for almost 500 deaths every year in the US only, as well as for 100,000 calls to the US Poisons Control Centers, 50,000 visits to the emergency room, and 10,000 hospitalizations yearly.
As an OTC and a prescription drug, the toxicity of Tylenol is much smaller than that of other prescription drugs as the reason for acute liver in the US and Europe; however, it’s not regulated enough.
The article also emphasizes how this drug is a dose-related toxin and that its toxicity is responsible for more than 46 percent of all acute liver failures in the US and for between 40 and 70 percent of all cases in Europe and Great Britain.
Together, this goes over the death numbers linked with acute liver failure that results from all prescription drugs. The review also noted that this drug is a multi-billion dollar product with a safe reputation; however, it’s still deadly and there’s scarce regulatory oversight by the FDA since it’s an OTC.
Recognizing this fact started almost a half-century ago when they linked this drug with suicide attempts, a lot of which were, unfortunately, successful. In a Lancet editorial from 1975, they wrote that the time has come to switch from paracetamol to an effective option that won’t lead to liver damage.
Moreover, in 2016, in a class action lawsuit with more than 100 plaintiffs, there were claims that Tylenol lead to liver damage and death. It was settled by McNeil which is the over-the-counter arm of Johnson and Johnson.
The lawsuit revealed that the FDA and McNeil/Johnson & Johnson delаyed with the implementation of the suggestions to better the safety of acetaminophen despite the well-known risks.
Should Tylenol’s Classification Be a Neurotoxic Chemical with Psychiatric Effects?
The liver-damaging effects of Tylenol are the most commonly known harmful effects. But, increasing research shows that it also has severe neurological and psychiatric effects, including a higher risk of autism spectrum disorders, risky behavior, attention deficit, and reduced human empathy.
It should be noted that in the studies on the reduction in empathy and risk-taking attitude, a single dose of 1,000 mg caused serious psychiatric and neurobiological effects.
This is worrisome and it shows the toxic seriousness of the chemical class, particularly since the pain- and emotion-blunting influence may lower the awareness of the consumer of its adverse effects.
Evidence-Based Natural Options to Reduce Tylenol Consumption or Reduce It All Together
Various substances have been researched as potential options to avert or reduce the severity of Tylenol toxicity. Actually, thanks to research, experts have found more than 125 natural substances that may help.
You can learn more about them here.
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