Tag Archives: Acetaminophen

Pain Medicine: Acetaminophen

As an alternative to aspirin, acetaminophen has been around a long time! The FDA approved acetaminophen in 1951. This medicine is both analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). You may know acetaminophen as: Tylenol and others — more than 200 medications include acetaminophen. How does it work? Acetaminophen relieves pain by elevating the pain threshold — in other words, it takes more pain for you to feel the discomfort. Acetaminophen reduces fever by telling the heat regulating part of the brain to cool things down when the body’s temperature is above normal. Acetaminophen is available in many different forms, … Continue reading →

Children Are At Risk For Deadly ‘Tylenol’ Overdose

Tylenol (known generically as Acetaminophen) is important when a child has a headache, fever, toothache or muscle injury. It eases pain and allows a child to get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, Tylenol is also a powerful toxin. Too much Tylenol can kill a child. We have all heard the warning and advice to give children Tylenol instead of aspirin to avoid Reyes Syndrome. Many people stopped giving their children anything except Tylenol or acetaminophen. Many think if a drug is sold over the counter without a prescription, it has to be safe, yet the Institute for Safe Medication Practices … Continue reading →