What’s The Difference Between Tylenol And Aspirin
“The Healthy Geezer” answers questions about health and aging in his weekly column.
Question: What is the difference between Tylenol and aspirin?
Answer: Acetaminophen is the most widely used pain-reliever and fever-reducer in the world. It is contained in more than 100 products.
Tylenol is the best known over-the-counter acetaminophen product. It is also a component of well-known prescription drugs such as Darvocet and Percocet. Acetaminophen also is known as paracetamol and N-acetyl-p-aminophenol .
There are basically two types of OTC pain relievers. Some contain acetaminophen, which is processed in the liver. Others contain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which are processed elsewhere. Examples of OTC NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium .
Taking too much acetaminophen can lead to liver damage. The risk for liver damage may be increased if you drink three or more alcoholic drinks while using medicines that contain acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen is one of the most common pharmaceutical agents involved in overdose, as reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
NSAIDs are associated with stomach distress. You should talk to your doctor before using NSAIDS if you are over 60, taking prescription blood thinners, or have stomach ulcers or other bleeding problems.
It’s a good idea for all older adults to consult their doctors before taking any OTC medication.
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How Is Analgesic Nephropathy Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and do a physical exam. Other tests may include:
- Blood pressure checks
- Urine toxicology screen. This test measures the amount of the pain killer in the urine.
- Urinalysis. Exam of urine for certain types of cells and chemicals, such as red and white blood cells, infection, or too much protein.
- Complete blood count. This test measures the size, number, and maturity of blood cells.
- Exam of any tissue passed in the urine
- Intravenous pyelogram. A series of X-rays of the kidney, ureters, and bladder. It uses an injection of a contrast dye. This helps find tumors, abnormalities, kidney stones, or any blockages. This test also checks blood flow to the kidney.
What Can I Do To Keep My Kidneys Healthy
Kidney disease caused by analgesics is often preventable Here are some things you can do to help keep your kidneys healthy.
- Do not use over-the-counter pain relievers more than 10 days for pain or more than three days for fever. If you have pain or fever for a longer time, you should see your doctor
- Avoid prolonged use of analgesics that contain a mixture of painkilling ingredients, like aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine mixtures in one pill
- If you are taking analgesics, increase the amount of fluid you drink to six to eight glasses a day
- If you are taking analgesics, avoid drinking alcohol
- If you have kidney disease, consult your doctor before taking an analgesic, particularly NSAIDs and higher dose aspirin.
- Use NSAIDs under your doctor’s supervision if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease or liver disease or if you take diuretic medications or are over 65 years of age
- Make sure your doctor knows about all medicines you are taking, even over-the-counter medicines
- Make sure you read the warning label before using any over-the-counter analgesics.
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What Is Bad Or Safe For Your Liver
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDS seldom affect the liver. Unlike acetaminophen most NSAIDs are absorbed entirely and have minimal first-pass hepatic metabolism. To puts it simply, the way NSAIDS are metabolized makes liver toxicity really rare. Quotes are that 1 in 100,000 NSAID prescriptions result in severe liver injury. Normally NSAIDs are extremely liver-safe.
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What About Statins And Liver Damage
You may wonder about the cholesterol medications known as statins and whether they can hurt your liver. While , , , and can frequently affect liver function blood tests, they do not tend to cause concerning liver damage.
Clinical studies on animals reveal that very high doses of statins may cause liver toxicity, but typical doses of these drug were not associated with significant liver injury. Liver cell injury from statins is exceptionally rare in humans.
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Speaker Discusses Acute Kidney Injury With Hepatorenal Syndrome Acetaminophen Overdose
Schira M. Liver failure and chronic kidney disease. Presented at: American Nephrology Nurses Associations Nephrology Nursing Practice, Management & Leadership Conference. Sept. 16-19, 2021 .
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A speaker at the American Nephrology Nurses Associations Nephrology Nursing Practice, Management & Leadership Conference discussed the development of AKI in patients who have hepatorenal syndrome or who use acetaminophen therapies.
Schira, PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, from thestudent success faculty at The University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation, said that although hepatorenal syndrome is not very common, it is important for nephrology nurses to have a fuller understanding of the condition because it carries a high mortality risk and is the fifth cause of AKI worldwide. She also noted that approximately 20% of individuals with advanced cirrhosis will develop some degree of hepatorenal syndrome in about a year of being diagnosed.
Link between cirrhosis, hepatorenal syndrome and AKI
Schira explained that this type of kidney failure arises from the changes in circulation to the kidneys from when the liver undergoes decompensated cirrhosis. According to Schira, these changes in circulation to the kidneys occur because the compensatory mechanisms become overwhelmed.
Acetaminophen, liver failure and AKI
Does Meloxicam Have More Side Effects Than Ibuprofen
Because meloxicam and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs, they have similar side effects, which may include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, tinnitus, and a rash.
All NSAIDs carry a risk of cardiovascular disease, including an increased risk for blood clots, stroke, or a heart attack however, the risk with meloxicam appears higher than with ibuprofen .
Meloxicam is also more likely than ibuprofen to cause gastrointestinal disturbances, such as gastric bleeding and ulceration. Consuming more than three alcoholic beverages per day while taking any NSAID increases the risk of GI disturbances.
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Are Nsaids Safe To Take If You Have Kidney Disease
NSAIDs are usually safe for occasional use when taken as directed. However, if your doctor has told you that you have low kidney function, NSAIDs might not be right for you. These medications should only be used under a doctor’s care by patients with kidney disease. Also, they might not be the best choice for people with heart disease, high blood pressure or liver disease. Some of these drugs affect blood pressure control. High doses over a long period of time can also lead to chronic kidney disease and even progress to kidney failure.
For people without kidney disease, the recommended dose of aspirin can be safe if you read the label and follow the directions. When taken as directed, regular use of aspirin does not seem to increase the risk of kidney disease in people who have normal kidney function. However, taking doses that are too large may temporarily and possibly permanently reduce kidney function. In people with kidney disease, aspirin may increase the tendency to bleed.
Is Codeine Bad For Your Kidneys
Certain medications can change kidney function and can be toxic to the kidneys, ultimately leading to renal failure in serious cases. One example of this is combination medications that include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . These include ibuprofen and aspirin.
They may be included in combination drugs that include codeine. In this case, its important to take only the prescribed dose to avoid potential damage to the kidneys.
If youre struggling with codeine misuse or cant seem to stop using codeine, help is available. Addiction experts at The Recovery Village can provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment that helps you start a healthier, opioid-free life. Contact us today to discuss treatment options that can suit your needs.
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Kidney Impairment Can Be Costly
Although renal impairment is often reversible if the offending drug is discontinued, the condition can be costly and may require multiple interventions, including hospitalization, Dr. Naughton explained. To help you avoid getting to that point, we learned about medications that commonly cause kidney damage from Rebekah Krupski, PharmD, RPh, pharmacy resident at the Cleveland Clinic and clinical instructor of pharmacy practice at Northeast Ohio Medical University.
Key Points About Analgesic Nephropathy
- Long term use of pain killers can cause damage to the kidneys. This includes over-the-counter and prescription pills.
- This condition is most common in people older than 45 years of age, and more prevalent in women over 30.
- Often there are no symptoms. It may be found on routine blood or urine tests.
- Symptoms are related to the build-up of toxins and waste products that are normally filtered by the kidneys.
- Analgesic nephropathy can lead to acute kidney failure, cancer, or atherosclerosis in later stages.
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My Husband Takes A Dose Of Nyquill Every Night Before Bed Can This Harm His Liver Kidneys Etc
- Asked
- 22 Jul 2012 by gaspdav
If your husband is taking one dose of Nyquill each night I wouldn’t worry. That’s pretty mild stuff. He’s just putting a tiny bit of alcohol plus acetaminophen into his system. It’s harmless. So many of us have trouble sleeping at night, I say good for him if this simple solution works.
The real dangers with acetaminophen are with us opiod drug patients, such as myself, who have to monitor the amount of tylenol that we are ingesting per 24 hours and I’m talking Grams, not milligrams. So rest easy, both of you.
+0suzanne66
Nyquil should only be used as directed for the intended purpose. Long term injestion of acetaminophen can be harmful to the liver and should not be used if you suffer from hypertension, glaucoma, asthma etc.See the link below and scroll down to “things I should know… “
Do Nsaids Cause Kidney Injury
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are medications that help to reduce inflammation. They also control pain and fever and are available over the counter and by prescription. Common NSAIDs include ibuprofen , aspirin , and naproxen sodium . These drugs are typically safe if they are used infrequently, but for people with decreased kidney function or chronic kidney disease, they should be avoided.
Are NSAIDs safe to take?NSAIDs are typically safe to use. However, many patients are sensitive to the side effects of these medications, even with normal kidney function. If you have reduced kidney function or have a number of other medical conditions, you may be much more likely to have problems with taking these drugs.
NSAIDs can affect kidneys by several different mechanisms. They can cause high blood pressure and can also interact with some blood pressure drugs in a way that prevents them from working correctly such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs which are a group of drugs that are designed to relax blood vessels. NSAIDs may increase your fluid retention and can lead to decreased blood flow to kidneys. This is because NSAIDs block prostaglandins, which are the natural chemicals that dilate blood vessels and allow oxygen to reach the kidneys to keep them alive and healthy.
As the regional expert in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease, Ochsner offers a full range of nephrology services. Learn more here.
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Advil Vs Tylenol Liver Damage Risk: Symptoms Of Ibuprofen And Acetaminophen Overdose
Most things in life are about balance and moderation, and pain killers are no different. While Advil, Motrin and Tylenol offer relief when youve tweaked your neck or have a fever, taking too much of these medications can have serious health consequences, one of which is liver damage. But how much exactly is too much?
Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is the one most closely linked to liver problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against using higher than the recommended dose, even in the short-term using more than one product containing the drug or combining the drug with alcohol. FDA believes that consumers need to know that these products can cause serious side effects, such as severe liver injury and stomach bleeding, when used improperly. The maximum safe dose of extra strength Tylenol for adults, as per the companys website, is 3,000 milligrams per day, or six pills. Thats lower than it used to be Tylenol explains that the old dosage limit was 4,000 milligrams a day, and that it now recommends taking only two pills every six hours, when previously it said four to six hours.
Liver damage caused by Tylenol overdose could turn the skin yellow, a condition called jaundice.Image courtesy of Pixabay, public domain
To avoid liver damage associated with any pain reliever, the FDA advises following recommended dosage guidelines.
How Tylenol Overdose Is Treated
Tylenol overdose can be either intentional or accidental. It is one of the most common poisonings that occur worldwide. If not treated quickly, Tylenol overdose can be fatal.
People who overdose on Tylenol may experience the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Malaise
Tylenol overdose is an emergency. Fortunately, an antidote for Tylenol overdose exists and is called N-acetylcysteine. This antidote is most effective when given within 8 hours of Tylenol overdose, and it can prevent liver failure.
It may take more than 12 hours after ingestion for symptoms of Tylenol overdose to occur. The list of symptoms above describes what might be seen in the first 24 hours after 24 to 72 hours) the symptoms might resolve, but it is still very important to seek urgent medical care, as serious liver damage may have occurred.
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Azoxystrobin Treatment In Mice With Apap Challenge
After 1-week adaption, mice were randomly divided into four groups : Vehicle group, Azoxystrobin group, APAP group, and APAP + Azoxystrobin group. Vehicle and APAP groups were fed with jelly diet with vehicle. The mice in azoxystrobin and APAP + azoxystrobin groups were treated with 25mg/kg/day azoxystrobin mixed in the jelly diet. After 3 days pretreatment, mice were fasted for 12h but kept free access to water before the intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of APAP . All the animals were fed with the same food and water as before after the APAP injection. After APAP injection for 24 hours, mice were sacrificed and the blood and kidney tissues were harvested for analyses.
What Are The Symptoms Of Analgesic Nephropathy
These are the most common symptoms of analgesic nephropathy:
- Fatigue or weakness, feeling unwell
- Blood in the urine
- An increase in urination frequency or urgency
- Pain in the back or flank area
- A decrease in urine output
- Nausea, vomiting
- Widespread swelling
- Easy bruising or bleeding
Some people have no symptoms. Kidney damage may be picked up by routine blood tests. The symptoms of analgesic nephropathy may look like other medical conditions or problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
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Rotenone Treatment Attenuated Apap
Evidence suggested that APAP-induced renal damage was partly through the inflammation . Indeed, the level of inflammatory cytokines of IL-6, IL-1, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 were significantly upregulated in the kidneys of APAP-treated mice determined by qRT-PCR. Strikingly, the upregulation of these inflammatory cytokines was reduced by rotenone treatment . These results suggested that the attenuation of inflammation might be attributable to the rotenone effect on protecting against APAP nephropathy to some extent.
Fig. 3.
Rotenone treatment suppressed the inflammation in the kidneys of mice treated with APAP. mRNA levels of IL-6 were determined by qRT-PCR. mRNA levels of IL-1 were determined by qRT-PCR. mRNA levels of MCP-1 were determined by qRT-PCR. mRNA levels of ICAM-1 were determined by qRT-PCR. Data were expressed as mean ± SD, n=7 in each group. * P< 0.05 compared to the vehicle group ** P< 0.01 compared to the vehicle group *** P< 0.001 compared to the vehicle group # P< 0.05 compared to the APAP group ## P< 0.01 compared to the APAP group.
Regular Use Of Pain Medicines Doesn’t Damage Kidneys
July 17, 2001 — Aspirin and similar pain medicines are such a part of everyday life — about a quarter of U.S. adults use them weekly — that most of us assume they’re perfectly safe. But for years, doctors have cautioned that regular use of these drugs can cause major damage to your kidneys and cause bleeding in the stomach.
A new study gives us one less thing to worry about: Moderate use of over-the-counter pain relievers isn’t likely to lead to kidney problems, the researchers found. However, two doctors who reviewed the study for WebMD believe overuse of pain medicines, particularly over a long period of time, may still be harmful.
The study in July 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at the use of nonprescription pain medicines such as aspirin, acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin, Advil, or Aleve in more than 11,000 healthy men over a 14-year period.
They found no increase in kidney problems among men who took an average of three or four pills a week The study didn’t look at other possible side effects of these drugs such as harm to the liver or gastrointestinal bleeding.
People in the U.S. tend to drink too little water, and that puts additional stress on the kidneys, Avram says. “When you look at elderly people who drink only a small amount of water, and also take lots of pain medicines, that’s a set-up for disaster.”
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