Tylenol is a popular brand name for a medication known by the generic name acetaminophen. It is an over-the-counter medication used to relieve mild pain and to reduce fever. One of the most common risks associated with Tylenol is liver damage.
Overdose
Acetaminophen overdose is implicated in a large amount of acute liver failure cases. A 2005 study published in the medical journal "Hepatology" put this number at 42 percent of all cases. Since this drug is so widely available and does not require a prescription, it is thought safe and therefore some people ingest dangerous quantities. Liver damage and even death can occur. Suicides, both attempted and successful, will often involve acetaminophen overdoses.
Mechanism of Action
When there is more acetaminophen in the bloodstream than the liver can handle through the normal way it processes the drug, it utilizes another method that produces a toxic chemical known as NAPQI. If this chemical is present in high enough amounts, liver damage can occur, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.
Considerations
Those who have liver disease or a history of alcoholism should consult a nurse practitioner or physician before using acetaminophen. In these two cases, it is important to assess liver function to ascertain if any amount of acetaminophen is safe. It can also interact with the drugs phenytoin, carbamezepine and isoniazid to cause even more liver damage. Some drugs, such as Vicodin, contain acetaminophen and hydrocodone, so patients should read all labels carefully to avoid an acetaminophen overdose.
