Once again the news headlines are full of the risks of pharmaceutical drugs. This time it’s that old staple, acetaminophen, the principle ingredient of Tylenol. Seems that every year 56,000 people are running to the ER with overdoses, some intentional, many accidental.
This is a liver toxin with the power to kill. At least 200 people die each year of this over the counter drug. This article from the New York Times states:
While the medicine is effective in treating headaches and reducing fevers, even recommended doses can cause liver damage in some people. And more than 400 people die and 42,000 are hospitalized every year in the United States from overdoses.
We know that aspirin can cause intestinal bleeding. NSAIDs (Aleve, Motrin, Advil) are similar in action. Several of them, Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex were recalled for causing heart attacks. So what can people do if they have arthritis, or headaches or other types of pain?
This article appears in Jul 1-7, 2009.