4 ms·

My understanding is that acetaminophen toxicity has been a problem particularly for children, because 1) the toxic dose is lower, 2) many common OTC products fo

My understanding is that acetaminophen toxicity has been a problem particularly for children, because 1) the toxic dose is lower, 2) many common OTC products for children include some amount of acetaminophen among their active ingredients and 3) parents may give their children multiple such products (one for runny nose, one for fever reduction, one for nighttime relief, etc.) over the course of a day and end up exceeding the safe dose, leading to liver toxicity. That was the situation a few years ago at least.

freedomben 5y ago
acetaminophen is often put in medications because it's toxic. It's there to dissuade people from *gasp* taking too much and possibly experiencing some positive feelings or enjoyment that offends the sensibilities of decision makers. Better that we destroy a few people's livers than that those people get a buzz. (to be clear, this last sentence is not my view. I'm mocking that view)
- caymanjim 5y ago
  This is the one and only reason that Vicodin and Percocet exist. They don't want people getting high, so they're punishing them by trying to kill them. It's barbaric. Literally evil. Edit: just to be clear, there are times when it might make sense to take oxycodone or hydrocodone alongside acetaminophen, but they should be prescribed separately and with caution. The reason they're combination drugs is because the toxicity is a "desirable" side-effect meant to discourage abuse. It's that reasoning that is evil.
- skyechurch 5y ago
  This also is silly, illegal drug users constantly take their dosages mixed with much worse things than Tylenol with no noticeable dissuasion effect that I am aware of. Acetaminophen is mixed with oxycodone etc bc it increases the pain relieving effect of the opiate drug (which for many people (e.g. me), are of limited effectiveness relative to the side effects/"buzz"), and because, unlike NSAIDs, it doesn't thin your blood so it can be taken after surgeries. Having chronic pain sucks, having something that you can take for it, especially something boring like Tylenol that can't be snatched away from you by doctors/police/etc, is a huge quality of life issue.
  - samtho 5y ago
    I don’t think anyone reasonable is actively arguing to delist Tylenol as OTC, rather we shouldn’t be so restrictive on these medications that can actually really help people. In addition we should be giving people resources for discontinuing use when they no longer need it. Also, we need to really research the NSAIDS after surgery thing, afaik, there has been nothing super rigorous on it and is only going off of the common knowledge that they do thin blood. I do not like Tylenol and my partner is allergic, we’ve both broken the rule about nsaids post surgery.
    - freedomben 5y ago
      Yes absolutely. I don't want to see Tylenol go away. I want more options, not less. I think as long as companies are being honest about the product they are selling, even if it's ineffective I think it should be available.

freedomben 5y ago

acetaminophen is often put in medications because it's toxic. It's there to dissuade people from *gasp* taking too much and possibly experiencing some positive feelings or enjoyment that offends the sensibilities of decision makers. Better that we destroy a few people's livers than that those people get a buzz. (to be clear, this last sentence is not my view. I'm mocking that view)

caymanjim 5y ago
This is the one and only reason that Vicodin and Percocet exist. They don't want people getting high, so they're punishing them by trying to kill them. It's barbaric. Literally evil. Edit: just to be clear, there are times when it might make sense to take oxycodone or hydrocodone alongside acetaminophen, but they should be prescribed separately and with caution. The reason they're combination drugs is because the toxicity is a "desirable" side-effect meant to discourage abuse. It's that reasoning that is evil.
skyechurch 5y ago
This also is silly, illegal drug users constantly take their dosages mixed with much worse things than Tylenol with no noticeable dissuasion effect that I am aware of. Acetaminophen is mixed with oxycodone etc bc it increases the pain relieving effect of the opiate drug (which for many people (e.g. me), are of limited effectiveness relative to the side effects/"buzz"), and because, unlike NSAIDs, it doesn't thin your blood so it can be taken after surgeries. Having chronic pain sucks, having something that you can take for it, especially something boring like Tylenol that can't be snatched away from you by doctors/police/etc, is a huge quality of life issue.
- samtho 5y ago
  I don’t think anyone reasonable is actively arguing to delist Tylenol as OTC, rather we shouldn’t be so restrictive on these medications that can actually really help people. In addition we should be giving people resources for discontinuing use when they no longer need it. Also, we need to really research the NSAIDS after surgery thing, afaik, there has been nothing super rigorous on it and is only going off of the common knowledge that they do thin blood. I do not like Tylenol and my partner is allergic, we’ve both broken the rule about nsaids post surgery.
  - freedomben 5y ago
    Yes absolutely. I don't want to see Tylenol go away. I want more options, not less. I think as long as companies are being honest about the product they are selling, even if it's ineffective I think it should be available.