Serious Risks of Tylenol, Acetaminophen, and Paracetamol

Paracetamol is the non-U.S. name for acetaminophen, which is distributed in the U.S. as Tylenol (t.m.).

We scanned 80 medical journals for analyses of acetominophen-paracetamol. The results were scary, to say the least. The following are representative:

"Over-the-counter paracetamol*a common cause of poisoning among teenage girls."

"Acetaminophen* at a dose of 1 gram per kilogram of body weight produced 100% mortality in 'animals tested.]"

"p-Aminophenol, a metabolite 'product produced by the body from the drug] is nephrotoxic 'toxic to the liver.]"

"Each year a substantial numbers of Americans experience intentional and unintentional acetaminophen*-associated overdoses that, in severe cases, lead to serious illness and possible death."

"Severe acetaminophen* heptotoxicity 'liver toxicity] frequently leads to acute liver failure (ALF)...'In studying the records at 22 health care centers] ..In conclusion, acetaminophen 'liver poisoning] far exceeds other causes of liver failure in the U.S."

"Paracetamol* reduces the body's availability of calcium.

"...our results show that 'acetaminophen] or its metabolites can directly reduce the p53 content of glioma 'brain cells]..." It should be noted that the p53 gene in our bodies is a prime defense against cancer.

We could go on; J. Pheumatol., BMC Cancer, Southern Med. J., Epidemiology, ad infinitem, but the above are quite representative.

*In each instance, the word acetaminophen would apply likewise to Tylenol (t.m.) and to paracetamol.

Serious Risks of Tylenol, Acetaminophen, and Paracetamol Bibliography

Lakartidningen, Sweden, vol. 102, 2005.

Medical Science Monitor, vol. 11, 2005.

Toxicol. App. Pharmacol., vol. 209, 2005.

Pharmacolepid. Drug Safety, Nov. 18, 2005.

Hepatology, vol. 42, 2005.

Asia Pac. J. of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 14, 2005

J. of Pharmacol. & Exp. Therapuetics, National Inst. of Health (U.S. govt.)-originated report, Dec. 5, 2005.