Arthritis is the wear and tear of cartilage and bones in joints that causes swelling, cracking and pain in that joint. Arthritis is an ailment that we will all face as we age, although some will have arthritis sooner due to excessive wear and tear of their joints. Fortunately, there are over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can help alleviate some of these symptoms of arthritis. One of the most common OTC medications for arthritis pain relief is Tylenol Arthritis Pain. As with all medications, you should be aware of its ingredients as well as possible side effects of Tylenol Arthritis use.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is the only active ingredient in both the caplet and the geltab. Acetaminophen is used to relieve minor aches and pains in an arthritic joint. This ingredient works by inhibiting chemical signals related to pain. Acetaminophen, however, does not have anti-inflammatory properties as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications do. Use Tylenol Arthritis only as recommended; taking more than six 650mg caplets or geltabs per day can result in liver damage, according to Drugs.com. Otherwise, acetaminophen has no known common side effects.
Carnauba Wax
Tylenol Arthritis Pain contains inactive ingredients, or excipients, that help with ease of use or support the active ingredient. Carnauba wax is an inactive ingredient, according to Tylenol.com. This substance is found on the leaves of a plant that is native to Brazil. It is used in many substances from car wax to shoe polish. Carnauba wax is used in Tylenol Arthritis Pain to aid in swallowing. As soon as saliva comes into contact with carnauba wax, it becomes slippery and easy to swallow. Although this ingredient has been used in foods since the 1900s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has insufficient data to evaluate the safety of this substance.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a listed inactive ingredient in Tylenol Arthritis Pain. Cornstarch is used in a variety of foods and and is the third major corn product in the U.S., according to the Corn Refiners Association. This substance is a filler that is considered safe and easy to digest by the FDA.
Other Inactive Ingredients
Other inactive ingredients in Tylenol Arthritis Pain include hydroxyethyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, powdered cellulose, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide and triacetin.
