This toxic substance can build up and start poisoning liver cells. Your body then gets rid of it through your kidneys, and you urinate it out.īut if you take large amounts of Tylenol, your liver doesn’t have enough glutathione to handle all of the NAPQI in the body. Your liver quickly makes NAPQI non-toxic with a molecule called glutathione. But a small percentage is broken down into a toxic chemical called NAPQI.

The majority of these substances are harmless. At regular doses, Tylenol is broken down into a few substances. Tylenol is mainly metabolized (broken down) by the liver. This dangerous side effect was first noted by healthcare providers in the 1960s. And Tylenol is the most common medication involved.

Medications are responsible for nearly half of the acute (sudden) liver failure cases in the U.S. But since many OTC and prescription medications include acetaminophen (Tylenol’s active ingredient), it can be easy to accidentally take more than what’s recommended. Problems typically only happen when taking too much Tylenol. But for most people, occasional use at recommended doses isn’t an issue. Read on below to learn whether Tylenol is bad for your liver and how to lower your risk of serious problems. While you shouldn’t be scared to take Tylenol when needed, liver damage is still something to be aware of - especially if you use Tylenol regularly. But if you don’t have liver problems, should you still be concerned? One serious side effect of Tylenol is possible liver damage. It’s even considered safe for most infants and pregnant women.īut Tylenol isn’t without risks. Its lack of side effects, like nausea or stomach pain, may appeal to lots of people. Tylenol is one of the most commonly used medications and is a staple for many people’s medicine cabinets. A popular choice for these ailments is acetaminophen. When fevers strike or you get that occasional headache, it’s common to use an over-the-counter ( OTC) medication to relieve it. See all coupons See all acetaminophen coupons

Tylenol antidote