Prescription Tylenol products, marketed by McNeil Laboratories, are brand-name drugs containing acetaminophen and codeine. Both are used in combination to treat moderate to severe pain. According to RxList, codeine is an opioid based narcotic that is used in five different Tylenol formulations, and ranges in strength from 8 mg per pill to 90 mg. Both acetaminophen and codeine cause negative effects in users, some of which are severe.
Dizziness and Stomach Upset
As noted on RxList, the most frequently observed negative reactions to prescription Tylenol include drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, mild nausea and vomiting. These effects are more common in ambulatory than in non-ambulatory users, so some negative reactions may be reduced if the user lies down. Less serious negative effects do not require medical attention unless the symptoms persist or get worse.
Disruption of Central Nervous System
RxList adds that codeine has most of the disadvantages of morphine at higher doses, particularly disruption of the central nervous system. Therefore, respiratory depression, mood changes, confusion, hallucinations, strange behavior, seizures and constricted pupils can occur with codeine use, especially the Tylenol No. 5 variety which contains 90 mg per tablet.
Liver and Kidney Damage
Liver damage is a potential long-term negative effect of acetaminophen use. In fact, the U.S. Acute Liver Failure Study Group concluded that acetaminophen toxicity is involved in about 50 percent of all acute liver failures in the U.S. Further, they stated that acetaminophen overdose is the most common reason for calling Poison Control Centers. Emergency medical care is required for acetaminophen toxicity.
Signs of liver toxicity from taking Tylenol products include severe nausea or stomach pain, prolonged loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools and skin or eye sclera yellowing.
Kidney damage is another long-term negative effect of acetaminophen use. A New England Journal of Medicine study concluded that higher acetaminophen use was linked to an increased risk of end-stage kidney disease.
Reaction in Asthmatics
All prescription Tylenol products also contain the inactive ingredient sodium metabisulfite, which is known to cause severe reactions in a small percentage of asthmatics, as noted in "Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties."
Addiction
Because codeine is a narcotic drug, there is potential for physical and psychological dependency leading to addiction. The primary sign of codeine dependency is tolerance, such that a higher daily dose is needed for pain relief.
References
- Drugs.com: Tylenol w/ Codeine
- RxList.com: Tylenol-Codeine
- "Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties"; Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010
- "Hepatology"; Acetaminophen and the U.S. Acute Liver Failure Study Group: lowering the risks of hepatic failure; W.M. Lee; July 2004
- "The New England Journal of Medicine"; Risk of Kidney Failure Associated with the Use of Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs; Thomas V Perneger et al; December 1994
Member Comments