Tylenol is the brand name for the medication acetaminophen, which is often used to relieve pain and reduce fevers. Tylenol is available over the counter and is safe for most people to take. However, when taken in large doses or along with some other substances, such as alcohol, Tylenol can damage your liver.
Tylenol Effects on Liver
The liver is responsible for breaking down and processing many drugs, including acetaminophen, HCV Advocate explains. When the liver has to deal with a large number of substances that need to be broken down, it starts to use an enzyme known as cytochrome P450 to help with the increased workload. Metabolism of acetaminophen by cytochrome P450 causes a toxic chemical, known as NAPQI, to be produced. This chemical can damage and kill liver cells.
Overdose
Most cases of liver damage caused by acetaminophen occur when people consume 10 to 15 g of the pain reliever, HCV Advocate reports. This is more than twice the recommended dose of acetaminophen, and most cases of liver toxicity caused by Tylenol are due to an accidental or intentional overdose. Some people, however, are unusually sensitive to the toxic effects of Tylenol and can develop liver damage even when taking Tylenol in the appropriate dosage.
Tylenol Toxicity Symptoms
If you take too much Tylenol, you may develop nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, increased sweating and irritability in the first 24 hours after the overdose, EMedTV states. After between 24 and 72 hours have passed, these symptoms will subside, but this is the window of time in which liver damage occurs. Symptoms of severe liver damage include upper abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, and unusually dark urine.
Risk Factors
One thing that can increase your risk of having liver problems due to Tylenol is if you drink alcohol. Your liver is also needed to process alcohol in your bloodstream, and heavy alcohol intake can activate the cytochrome p450 enzyme. Acetaminophen can also be found in many other products, including Darvocet, hydrocodone and Percocet, as well as many other nonprescription medications such as Dayquil, Excedrin, Vicks and Midol. Consuming Tylenol with medications that contain acetaminophen may result in an accidental overdose.
