Acetaminophen
Tylenol and Paracetamol belongs to the acetaminophen class. This type of drugs reduce pain and fever, but it does not have reduce inflammation and swelling. They are generally used to treat minor pain like tension headaches, influenza, and in chronic conditions where no inflammation is present.
Acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver and kidney. Therefore, people with liver and kidney condition or those who drinks alcohol should avoid taking it. Interaction with other medications like blood thinners and birth control pills also warrant precaution. Because acetaminophen is a common component in cough mixtures and in prescription medication, people often don't realize that they are taking products containing the same ingredient, resulting in overdose.
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"People often don't realize that they are taking products containing the same ingredient." |
Taking as little as 10-15 g of acetaminophen in 24 hours can cause life threatening liver damage which may not be apparent for 4-6 days. Symptoms of overdose includes nausea, vomiting, stomachache, kidney failure, and brain damage. Even though initial symptoms are not significant, patients should seek immediate medical attention.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs relieve pain and is especially useful in reducing inflammation. There are three types of NSAIDs available for purchase without prescription: aspirin (Anacin, Bufferin, Empirin), naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Excedrin). Naproxen is more long-acting than aspirin and ibuprofen.
The most concerning side effect of NSAIDs is stomach bleeding. Symptoms includes black tarry stools, abdominal pain, or vomiting blood. Long term use may also cause kidney problems, even more prevalent than that caused by acetaminophen. That's why acetaminophen is a safer choice for chronic usage.
Children under 18 years old should not take aspirin because of the risk of developing Reye Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition. Aspirin also increases the risk of bleeding in people undergoing surgery. So be sure to tell your dentist or doctor that you take aspirin before they perform any procedure.
