Scientific Method / Science & Exploration

Tylenol is the leading cause of liver failure

A new study confirms what's been generally accepted for years: Tylenol is the …

Acetaminophen/paracetamol (AKA Tylenol) is the leading cause of acute liver failure. The number of cases doubled between 1998 and 2003—which I find interesting, because over the last several years, regular strength (325mg) Tylenol has been gradually disappearing in favor of the extra-strength (500mg) varieties. I wonder if these findings can be traced to its relative disappearance from store shelves? Regular strength Tylenol isn't a big seller, so stores have removed it from displays—often you have to ask at the pharmacy for it, and even then it sometimes has to be specially-ordered.

Lee thinks American drug enforcers should follow the lead of the UK, which requires products that contain acetaminophen to be packaged in blister packets and sold in small quantities. "I think we should talk about limiting package size," says Lee. "You can buy 500 at a time. They're like M&Ms."

I wonder if Dr. Lee has ever chewed a Tylenol? It's pretty bad. I do sympathize with his viewpoint, though I don't think mandatory blister packs and smaller package sizes will ever become the standard, nor do I think doing such a thing would prevent people from popping them like candy.

4,000 mg is the maximum daily dose for acetaminophen, but I don't need to tell you that dosing limits aren't always adhered to. (What a surprise.) As always, mixing alcohol with Tylenol is A Bad Idea™.

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