One of the top health news stories presented some scary warnings about paracetamol, known as acetaminophen in the U.S. and found in brands like Tylenol. A scientific study reported potentially fatal consequences of taking more acetaminophen than prescribed, but what exactly does it mean? And what safer alternatives can you choose to alleviate muscle pain?
The 16-year study accepted for publication (full text here) examined 663 British patients with acetaminophen-induced liver damage. Of them, 161 had taken a “staggered overdose,” which is when people “have pain and repeatedly take a little more paracetamol [acetaminophen] than they should.”
Over time, this little extra bit builds up and is more likely to cause death or severe liver damage than a single large overdose. Patients may not realize that they should report the overdose and instead seek treatment simply because they feel unwell, leaving medical providers unaware of the problem and unable to treat it.
Most overdoses occurred as people medicated common pain, including muscle ache – like the kind you might experience after a new or particularly intense workout. If you rely on acetaminophen-based products to ease your aches and pains, consider these alternatives:
- Take a hot bath or shower soon after a tough workout
- Use a heated wrap or compress (avoid this option if you have any swelling, as heat can worsen the problem)
- Massage sore muscles (no professional needed; practice yourself!)
- Do a proper warm-up and cool-down. Slow jogging or walking is often appropriate (usually for at least 10 minutes each time), and be sure to include some stretching
- Incorporate some gentle or restorative yoga into your lifestyle to deepen relaxation and recovery
The best remedy is prevention, so educate yourself about muscle soreness. If you feel any acute pain (rather than dull aches or soreness), you are probably doing something wrong. You could be placing undue strain on muscles and joints with incorrect positioning, posture, or execution of exercises. In these cases, you’ll need to correct the source of your pain before it causes serious injury, and possibly seek medical assistance.
If you do choose to take acetaminophen, pay attention to dosage and don’t exceed the daily limit. (In 2009, an FDA advisory committee recommended lowering the daily maximum but did not specify a new amount, and the limit remains 4,000 milligrams in 24 hours.)
What do you think of the new finding on acetaminophen use? Are there other ways you soothe sore muscles?
Post written by: Rebecca Dobrzynski