Why You Should Be Very Careful About Taking Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers – Part 1
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen are over-the-counter pain relievers that belong to a class of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs are used for the management of moderate pain, inflammation and fever. Ibuprofen is metabolized (processed by the body) through the kidneys. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is metabolized through the liver. Over use of Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen can permanently damage the liver and kidneys.
Acetaminophen is the name of the drug but is commonly known as Tylenol. There are also numerous products that people use that have acetaminophen is one of the main ingredients to include: Excedrin, Excedrin, Vanquish, Comtrex, Dristan, Fioricet, Esgic, Dolmar, Esgic-Plus, Theraflu, Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold, Coricidin D, Sinulin, Chlor-Trimeton, Tavist Allergy/Sinus/Headache, Mucinex Fast-Max Severe Congestion & Cold, Sudafed PE Cold & Cough.
Ibuprofen is the name of the drug and there are several different brand names but they are all still Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen name brands include Advil, Children’s Advil/Motrin, Motrin, Medipren, Nuprin, PediaCare Fever, etc. If you or your child have a fever and you give them Advil and later within a short period of time, give them Motrin, you have given them Ibuprofen both times.
The problem of overdose comes when you take an Excedrin and soon afterwards you take some Theraflu. Both of these over-the-counter drugs have acetaminophen in them and you stand the risk of taking too much acetaminophen and it can damage to the liver.
