I came across this article and it immediately made me think of a few patients I have come across in the last few weeks. In that time I have seen a couple of patients who have reported taking 6-8 extra strength Tylenols everyday for a few days straight prior to seeing me. Understandably, these patients were in so much pain that they felt they needed all this Tylenol to ease their pain. To clarify, the recommended dosage for extra strength Tylenol is no more than 8 tablets every 24 hours for an adult. Now with the amount of pain these patients were in, I can easily imagine a scenario where they may have taken 'just a little more' than recommended.
A new study suggests that all that extra Acetominophen can add up over several days and lead to a dangerous overdose. Researchers from University of Edinburgh in Scotland found that these smaller, "staggered overdoses" can even be more harmful than a single large overdose.
This study only reinforces the idea that, "...maximum recommended daily doses should be strictly adhered to." said Dr. Joshua Lenchus, an associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
The researchers also found that these people who suffered "staggered overdoses" were also the ones most likely to have brain or liver problems, need kidney dialysis and die from complications. This problem surprisingly, is not a new one. The potential harm that can be a result of acetominophen, especially in large doses, has been known for quite a while now. In fact, even the manufacturers know about the risk! This is such a problem that the Food and Drug administration asked acetominophen manufacturers to lower the dosage of the drug in pills to a maximum of 325mg. Later, the makers of Extra-strength Tylenol announced that they were LOWERING the maximum daily dose of their product to help curb the incidences of accidental overdoses.
Now if you think that just because you don't take Tylenol, that you're safe....well you'd be wrong. Acetominophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is a very common pain killer. Along with drug-store brands, Acetominophen is also found in a myriad of other products. Here's a list of just some of the other products; Triaminic Fever & Pain, Alka-Seltzer Cold and Sinus, Bayer Select, Benadryl Sinus Headache, Dayquil, Excedrin, Robitussin Cold Cough and Flu, and Theraflu Cold & Sore Throat. Remember, this is only a short list too!
If you are suffering from pain that is musculoskeletal related and requires you to take 4-8 painkillers a day, please consider a safer alternative! Chiropractic is more effective than any of these drugs because it addresses the root CAUSE of the pain and not just the symptom of pain itself. Like I've told patients before, if your bedroom door is squeeking, the solution is not to go to the living room and pretend there's no problem. Fix that darn door and be happier that you did!
If you're in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver, come visit my clinic of visit my website; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!!
Reference:
Staggered overdose pattern and delay to hospital presentation are associated with adverse outcomes following paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.04067.x
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