That ain't all about Tylenol

House Calls

By Gerald W. Deas, M.D.

Well, the season is changing and cold symptoms begin to appear such as, runny noses, coughs, nasal congestion, muscle pains and often a slight temperature. Many folks reach for a welltested drug known as Tylenol, chemically known as acetaminophen. This drug is known to help relieve many of the above symptoms. On the drugstore shelf, there are at least 30 drug preparations that contain Tylenol. There are also at least 100 cold relieving drugs that contain acetaminophen, which is the trade name for Tylenol.

Acetaminophen is a drug that has many side effects and can cause adverse effects in the body that one should consider when taking this drug. In fact, there is not one drug that does not have side effects that you may take on a routine basis to relieve cold symptoms. It is important for patients taking medications to read the label and the insert to educate oneself of the adverse effects and warnings.

I would like you to consider the following suggestions if you take the drug acetaminophen:

• Avoid Tylenol if you are drinking alcohol. It has been reported that this combination can cause liver damage.
• Don’t take Tylenol for muscle pains for more than seven days or for fever for more that three days unless directed by your doctor.
• Don’t take Tylenol if you are taking sedatives or tranquilizers without first consulting your doctor.
• Don’t take Tylenol if you are having breathing problems such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, glaucoma or enlargement of the prostate gland.
• Do not use Tylenol if you are using a prescription drug (monamine oxidase inhibitor), known as MAOI, used for depression, psychiatric or emotional conditions and Parkinson disease.
• Do not use Tylenol if the carton is broken or if the blister unit is broken.

If nervousness, dizziness or sleeplessness occur, discontinue the drug.

• If you are pregnant or nursing a baby, seek the advice of your doctor before using Tylenol.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose that is plainly written on the Tylenol bottle.

It is evident from the above recommendations that one should use caution when taking an over the counter product such as Tylenol or any cold preparation that contains acetaminophen.

For greater health tips and access to an online community of physicians and other healthcare professionals visit DrDeas.com.

This is part of the November 25, 2009 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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