Even if you’re used to thinking about how different combinations could impact your digestive system or blood sugar, you probably don’t think too much about how what you consume will impact your liver. After all, the liver quietly does its job (or more aptly, jobs; it does more for the body than you probably realize) without us even thinking about it.
Everything you eat, drink or swallow impacts the liver. It’s the liver’s job to process blood into nutrients and filter out toxins, which are excreted in the form of urine or stool. Again, all of this happens without us even realizing it. But when the liver is overtaxed, your health can take a turn for the worse quickly, and sometimes it’s even life-threatening.
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Dr. Seth Sclair, MD, a hepatologist and assistant professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University, explains that Tylenol has a toxic metabolite called NAPQI that accumulates in the liver and is neutralized by an antioxidant called glutathione in the liver. He says that when too much Tylenol is taken over the course of a few hours, the liver’s protective stores of glutathione are depleted, and then the toxic breakdown product from Tylenol accumulates. This is already dangerous enough, but drinking alcohol taxes the liver even more, making it worse.
According to Dr. Sinclair, this is especially dangerous for habitual alcohol drinkers, who often have lower levels of glutathione, making them more susceptible to the toxic effects of Tylenol.
But Dr. Kais warns against anyone mixing Tylenol and alcohol. “The risks are serious and should not be underestimated. The liver is the body's primary detoxification organ, responsible for processing Tylenol, alcohol, medications and environmental toxins. When both are present at the same time, the liver becomes overwhelmed. The toxic byproduct that Tylenol naturally produces builds up faster than the liver can clear it, which can cause significant liver cell damage,” she tells Parade.
Related: This Is the #1 Most Important Habit for Liver Health, According to a Hepatologist
Another Common Mistake People Make When Taking Tylenol
“Someone could be taking Tylenol for pain, but also taking a cold medication, which also could have acetaminophen in it, for example,” she explains. To avoid accidentally doubling up on acetaminophen, Dr. Jakhete suggests always reading the ingredients list on any medications you’re taking together.
What’s especially dangerous about taking too much Tylenol or combining it with alcohol is that there typically aren’t any symptoms at first, even though the liver is being damaged. “After a Tylenol overdose, most individuals will not have symptoms for the first several hours. Symptoms include nausea or vomiting, sweating, stomach pains, especially in the right upper abdomen where the liver resides, fatigue, weakness, yellowing of the eyes or skin and confusion or drowsiness in severe cases,” Dr. Kais says.
If you do go to the hospital because you took too much Tylenol or you combined it with alcohol and the liver has been negatively impacted, it will be treated by giving the liver more glutathione through an infusion. “This is most effective within the first eight hours of the liver being impacted,” Dr. Jakhete says.
It’s easy to take your liver for granted. It’s also easy to downplay the impact that over-the-counter medications like Tylenol can have when they’re misused. Always read the label on your medications to make sure you aren’t doubling up on the same ingredients. And save that alcoholic drink for when you’re feeling better.
Related: This Is the Best Breakfast for Liver Health, According to a Hepatologist
Sources:
Dr. Susan Kais, MD, gastroenterologist and assistant professor of clinical at UC Health.Dr. Seth Sclair, MD, hepatologist and assistant professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University.Moyer, A. M., Fridley, B. L., Jenkins, G. D., et al. (2010). Acetaminophen-NAPQI Hepatoxicity: A Cell Line Model System Genome-Wide Association Study.Toxicological Sciences. 120(1):33-41.Dr. Neha Jakhete, MD, gastroenterologist and hepatologist with the University of Maryland Medical System.Acetaminophen Toxicity. StatPearls.Hence then, the article about 3 hepatologists are begging people to stop combining this one thing with tylenol was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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