Danger Lurking In Your Bathroom

There is no doubt that the majority of households in America have a common over-the-counter (OTC) medication in their bathroom. OTC medications are conveniently available in a variety of stores, and the assumption is that they are safe. Yet there is mounting evidence that they can cause a range of adverse effects.

One prominent medication has been linked to roughly half of all cases of acute liver failure in the U.S. This is causing doctors like John Brems, MD, a professor of surgery at Loyola University in Chicago, to tell ABC News that “Acetaminophen is probably the most dangerous OTC drug in this country.”

Liver Failure!

Taking too much acetaminophen…is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the U.S.,” explains Mayo Clinic. “Acute liver failure can occur after one large dose, or higher than recommended doses daily for several days.”

You may not know anyone who has suffered from acute liver failure, but it doesn’t have to reach that point to have an effect. Acetaminophen poisoning is responsible for 56,000 emergency room visits, 2600 hospitalizations, and 500 deaths each year. And half of these poisonings are accidental. That’s why I felt it was important to bring this to your attention.

Not Just Tylenol

Tylenol, one of the most widely sold OTC drugs in America, is often recognized as having acetaminophen as its active ingredient. But you may not realize that many popular decongestants and cough syrups contain this ingredient as well. This is where the accidental poisonings can happen – when you take Tylenol with another OTC drug that also contains acetaminophen.

Your chances of having an adverse reaction to Tylenol increase if you take more than the recommended dose, mix it with other medications, or take it with alcohol. For example, if you take both Tylenol and a multi-symptom cold medicine like NyQuil, you are effectively doubling the safe dose of acetaminophen. That puts you at risk!

What are the other medications that have acetaminophen? These would include DayQuil, NyQuil, Excedrin, Midol, Robitussin, Theraflu, Vicks, Benadryl, and Sudafed.

It’s important to read the labels to ensure you aren’t taking multiple medications that include the same ingredient. The assumption is that these are all safe because they are available without a prescription, but that is clearly not the case if you take different types together.

Symptoms Of Adverse Reaction

• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Profuse sweating
• Jaundice (yellowing) in the skin or eyes
• Pain in the upper right belly
• Disorientation or confusion
• Dark urine
• Breath with a musty or sweet odor
• Sleepiness or fatigue

For those over 65 who may take repeated doses of Tylenol for chronic pain or osteoarthritis, there is an increased risk of peptic ulcers, hypertension, or chronic kidney disease. This finding has challenged the assumption by many doctors that only ibuprofen causes gastrointestinal problems. Now they are recognizing that acetaminophen poses risks for GI issues as well.

As if that wasn’t enough, a 2022 study found that regular use of meds containing acetaminophen can raise the blood pressure of those who already have hypertension!

What Can You Do?

For those of you who regularly take OTC drugs, I encourage you to pull out the bottles and read the ingredient labels. You may need a magnifying glass to do so, but it’s important.

If you see that you have taken a combination of drugs containing acetaminophen, tune into your body. Have you noticed any of these symptoms, even if they haven’t persisted? You may be wise to see a doctor and tell them what you suspect.

Perhaps you are wondering what other options there are for relieving pain – options that don’t have acetaminophen as the main ingredient. There are a number of alternatives.

Options For Pain Relief

Peppermint Essential Oil provides muscle pain relief and reduces fever. To reduce pain, apply 1-3 drops to the area twice daily. Some find their skin is sensitive to peppermint, in which case you can mix the oil with a bit of olive oil before application. For fever, apply the oil to the back of your neck and the bottoms of your feet.

Ginger contains gingerol, which is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It eases digestion and reduces pain. You can eat raw ginger, steep slices in hot water for a tea, or use ginger essential oil.

Curcumin is the constituent in turmeric that reduces inflammation and fights pain. I recommend taking a phytosome curcumin supplement because it travels through the stomach to be absorbed in the small intestine for better effect.

Frankincense is also recognized as a painkiller. You can apply drops of Frankincense essential oil to the area several times a day. Or you can take Boswellia (the botanical name for Frankincense) in capsule form.

The Choice Is Yours

Now that you are aware of the risks that come with taking Tylenol and other OTC drugs that contain acetaminophen, you have a choice. You can continue to take these for pain while being mindful of the dosage and timing you take it. Or, you can explore these alternate approaches for pain relief.

There is also the option of exploring how to get to the root cause of your pain and support your body in healing. I have worked with many people whose doctors said that they would be dealing with their condition for the rest of their lives.

Yet, when you pursue a root-cause approach, it is possible to support the body in resolving disease states. What could your life be like when you no longer lived with pain? Let’s talk about it.