Today on Daily Dose, Dr. Lacey Anderson appeared on News 9 to answer viewer questions about how to use Tylenol.
Anderson said Tylenol, the generic form of acetaminophen, is very safe for most people.
He said that while it helps with both fever and pain and is safe for the kidneys and stomach, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen can increase the risk of stomach ulcers and chronic kidney disease over time. He said acetaminophen is considered much safer than anti-inflammatory drugs. .
But acetaminophen can be dangerous if taken in excess, she said.
Anderson said if treatment is not started immediately, an overdose could cause liver failure over the next few days.
According to her, there have been cases where adults have taken large amounts of acetaminophen for things like toothaches and died from an overdose.
If you’re taking narcotic pain medications that contain acetaminophen, such as hydrocodone or oxycodone, be careful about taking extra acetaminophen or Tylenol with them, Anderson said.
