Does too much Tylenol have a long term effect? There was a time of my life were I took it a lot, and wasn’t aware of it’s potential harm. I just hope it doesn’t mess up my stomach or liver in the long run… What pain relievers can I take in substitute of Tylenol, I know there might be some with the same danger under a different name. Thanks!
This is a strong pain killer, right?
If that’s the case, it probably contains either ibruprofen (possibly spelt wrong) and/ or codine. I understand that Both can become addictive and cause liver dammage if taken excessivly.
Try asprin, which thins the blood and some believe is actually good for you when taken in moderation.
Of course, the best advice if you have on-going pain is to see a doctor.
Be careful with that stuff, long term use can mess with the kidneys, and it’s surprisingly easy to OD on Tylenol:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000929.html
I don’t know enough to give you a good opinion on what other pain relievers to use in place of it (maybe regular aspirin, though I guess that can be bad for your stomach, from what I understand).
Regular Tylenol contains acetaminophen, which is neither ibuprofen or codiene. Tylenol #1-3 (?) is a combination of codiene, caffiene, and acetaminophen which can be gotten only with a prescription in the US, but #1, the lowest dosage, can be purchased over the counter in Canada. I personally have a bottle I keep for myself when I get extremely nasty headaches.
NEVER, EVER EVER exceed the dosage specified on the bottle. As someone else said, it is very easy to OD on Tylenol, and once you have there is very little that can be done to save you. It will also be a slow and unpleasant death.
Ibuprofen bothers me, personally, but I have sort of arthritis in my joints and often take low-dosage aspirins to reduce the swelling. Ibuprofen is also good to take, as long as it doesn’t bother you. It’s my understanding that it’s a bit easier on your stomach than aspirin, though I’ve heard it can bother people to. (It doesn’t make me sick, per se, it just doesn’t agree with me.)
I save my Tylenol #1 for the days I hurt so bad I can’t get out of bed. If you’re OK with aspirin, try the ones with a coating for your stomach, and in the low dosage for people on a daily regimen. I’ve had good luck with these, and it’s easy to take exactly the amount you need and not lots extra. (I can take up to four of them at once but I often only need two or three.)
Just my experience. I hurt alot so I know a bit about pain killers. 
Acetaminophen/Tylenol can really mess up your liver. I had elevated liver functions at one time (from taking an oral anti-diabetic pill), and the first thing the doc told me was to quit taking Tylenol and Nyquil*. It’s GENERALLY safe, as long as you’re otherwise healthy and you don’t exceed the recommended dose.
Never take acetaminophen and Nyquil at the same time. Nyquil has acetaminophen in it already. There’s no warning about this on the label, last time I checked…but ask your doctor.
*The second thing he told me was to not drink any alcohol, of course…he knew that I had a very occasional drink.
Common sense dictates that no medicine should be used in the long term unless the likely benefits exceed the risks. That being said, long term use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) may not have any effect on kidney function. An earlier study did claim otherwise though.
Still, if you must take pain medicines on a regular or chronic basis, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is probably your best bet. Although Aspirin and its relatives in the class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (eg. Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn, etc.) are often more effective than acetaminophen (Tylenol), all of them can cause serious stomach problems including internal bleeding and gastric perforation (a hole in your stomach). Even the newest class of NSAIDS, the so-called COX-II inhibitors (eg. Vioxx and Celebrex), can cause similar problems.
One benefit of Aspirin and other NSAIDS (but not the COX-II inhibitors) is that they do “thin the blood” a bit and this may confer some protection against stroke and heart attack. But, their benefit in that regard is confined to people who have already had things like heart attacks, angina, strokes, or ‘warning strokes’.
As has been said, Tylenol (acetomenaphin or APAP as is sometimes listed on prescriptions) is known to be harmful on the liver… Ibuprofen (in advil, among others) is less harmful and (in my unmedical experience), more helpful
I don’t think Greenkeys is accurate in saying Ibuprofen is known to be addictive. Codeine is definately, but codeine is an opiate so that is to be expected. Then again, you could get psychologically addicted to not being in pain…dunno how harmful that is
Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol is effective if used correctly. Exceeding the dosage risks serious damage to the liver. It should say so on the label. Buffered aspirin does the same thing for people who are not allergic (both are anti-inflamatories, as is ibuprofen).
Although obviously more learded people here have proved that I’m no chemest, I still think that there is an underlying point to be made here, so here it is:
The SDMB is no place to seek medical advice. If you have continuing pain… SEE A DOCTOR!!!
Can gastric perforation (a hole in your stomach) come over time, or since it’s been a while sine I had Tylenol should I not worry about it?
I guess it’s good to take different things, at different times to even it all out. Excedrin ok? Aleive?
I used to take Hydrocodone, but I asked to stop that for a while
BTW, I will see a Dr.
Thought it would be good to know about what I might ask the Dr. about
Please see a gasterointerologist (a tummy doctor). Anyone who has any kind of chronic pain should have the comfort of knowing what it is.
I should have been clearer. Aspirin and NSAIDS but NOT Tylenol can lead to perforation (but only around the time someone’s been taking them).
Excedrin has aspirin (IIRC) and Aleve is Naproxen (a type of NSAID).
Sweet,
karl’s the man.
BTW, a bit of cleanup on codeine.
It is not legal as an OTC preparation in many political jurisdictions. Most makers of aspirin and acetaminophen products make it available only in an alternate formulation since they can’t sell it everywhere. As far as the US government is concerned, when used alone it is a schedule II drug, available by prescription only. Used in various combinations, it is scheduled at various lower levels, including OTC in some preparations. Still illegal under many state laws, though.
Apart from any other concerns, codeine is an opiate with a potential for addiction.
Footz, if the Tylenol you took in the past didn’t mess up your body, it’s safe to take Tylenol again (at the appropriate dose, of course). I’d suggest you tell your doctor about your past overuse of acetaminophen, which may or may not have damaged your liver. The doctor can order a blood test to check your liver enzymes, which will tell you how healthy that organ is.
The moral of the story is that over-the-counter drugs aren’t candy. Misusing them can hurt you, so always follow the instructions on the label. More isn’t better.
Question: where do you have pain? And how much Tylenol did you take?
Greenkeys, The active ingredient in Tylenol is acetominophen which you folks know as paracetamol.
DPWhite, Aspirin and ibuprofen are anti-inflamatories but acetominophen is not.
Holly, Elevated liver enzymes (in the blood) indicate ongoing damage to the liver. Other tests are used to assess whether the liver has been damaged in the past.
My Ex-SO, the doctor, is treating several terminal patients right now who OD’ed on Tylenol.
Long story short - it’s a horrible, terrible way to die. And they won’t put you on the transplant list.
The liver damage from Tylenol and its generics are mostly (though not exclusively) associated with alcohol. This may be a reason why it is said not to take it with Nyquil.(??)
Tylenol as stated is NOT an anti inflammitory and medical evidence suggests it may be bad for arthritis. The reasoning is it DOES stop the pain but it won’t reduce the inflammation. This will allow you to move the imflammed joint (as it doesn’t hurt) and cause injury. See imflammation is in itself a way the body says DON’T MOVE ME.
Anyone with liver problems should avoid Tylenol. Hep etc.
That said OVERALL Tylenol and its generics are VERY safe drugs.
Also I have found the internet tends to be a place to post horror stories. Go to Google and look up any drug and you will find page after page of horror stories before you find a good one. Drugs effect people differently. If you have to take an OTC drug for more than a week you should be seeing a doctor after that point.
You must read labels though. For example I believe it is Excederin (or a type of Excederin) which is a NAME brand contains both Asprin and Acetominiphen.
I found this out when I quit drinking coffee years ago and got headaches. The only thing that helped was ANACIN. Turned out the EXTRA ingredient ANACIN uses IS caffine.