The rise of acetaminophen abuse in the United States

Acetaminophen: An over-the-counter painkiller and fever reducer.  The brand name most commonly used for this drug is Tylenol.  Other brand names include: Apacet, Apra, Dolono, Feverall, Mardol, Pain-Eze, Ridenol, Tactinal, Tycolene, Vitapap, and more.

In America, acute liver failure is most commonly caused by acetaminophen poisoning.  This means that a person taking too much acetaminophen can make their liver abruptly shut down.  This is not the same as the gradual deterioration that alcohol and other drugs can cause to the liver. 

Acetaminophen is normally processed by the body with 90% of it metabolized and removed from the body through the bile (digestive fluid produced by the liver). When a person takes too much Tylenol, they overwhelm their liver and it can fail to function properly (does not produce the needed bile).

Acetaminophen Abuse

Common ways to abuse acetaminophen are:

Abusing the drug itself: Tylenol is a commonly abused drug among young people, as it’s easy to obtain.  Additionally, people addicted to other painkillers will sometimes abuse acetaminophen in between using the painkiller of their choice to “take the edge off” their withdrawal symptoms. 

Abuse of the drug as contained in prescription painkiller: For example, Vicodin contains both acetaminophen and the stronger opioid (opium-like) painkiller hydrocodone. So, when Vicodin is abused, you are not only abusing an opioid, but you are abusing acetaminophen 

Acetaminophen can be abused by mixing it with other drugs: A popular mix is codeine cough syrup and acetaminophen. This has been said to have a similar effect as smoking marijuana. Codeine is often found in prescription cough medicine, but when abused can be highly addictive.

Acetaminophen Dangers

Some might consider acetaminophen “safe” because it’s an over-the-counter medicine.  There are even some Tylenol mixes that children can take.  However, abuse of acetaminophen can lead to tolerance.  This means that a person taking the drug will no longer feel the painkilling effects at a lower dosage, so they have to take higher and higher dosages to be able to kill their pain.  When this occurs, they increase chances of drug overdose.

Other side effects of acetaminophen are:

•    Shallow breathing
•    Feeling faint or fainting
•    Loss of appetite
•    Nausea
•    Stomach pain
•    Itching
•    Dizziness
•    Constipation
•    Dry mouth
•    Headache
•    Blurred vision
•    Confusion
•    Unusual behavior or thoughts
•    Seizure
•    Slow heartbeat
•    Chest pain
•    Heart attack
•    Liver failure
•    Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)

Statistically, over half of acetaminophen overdoses are unintentional, and a person overdosing on acetaminophen can be helped if taken immediately to the hospital.  However, mixing drugs is extremely dangerous.  When there are other drugs involved in an overdose – like Ritalin, OxyContin, Percocet, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin – the likelihood of a person surviving is much less.

Solving Drug Abuse and Addiction

Drug rehabilitation centers – like Best Drug Rehab – are part of the solution to drug addiction.  We provide effective detoxification methods, along with a therapy program which consults the individual’s understanding of why they were drawn to drugs in the first place.

Prevention is another excellent solution to drug addiction. Talking to kids about drugs, getting involved in community activities, and surrounding yourself with good friends are all great methods of prevention.

Holistic drug prevention methods and addiction solutions are effective towards solving the drug abuse issue in this country.  Contact us today for more drug rehab information.

Sources: 

www.chpa-info.org

www.NIH.com