Bye-bye Tylenol®, off the shelf and into trash. No offense to the makers of Tylenol®, it’s really Acetaminophen I’m trashing-for now at least. After reading stories and hearing about a possible link between Acetaminophen and childhood asthma, I took the overly cautious, mildly neurotic mother approach: halt usage and do some research. As a result, my Tylenol® is on a journey out of my house. I finally caught up on my reading and research since we use Tylenol® from time to time. We used acetaminophen in the past for managing fever and pain relief, like when my son had teeth pulled and the dentist was worried about his allergies and gave him a small dosing of anesthetic that didn’t work! This over-the-counter medication was our friend. Never-the-less, what I concluded from my lay motherly research was: get better sleep, exercise, run around less, eat better, drink lots of water, reduce stress and take your vitamins–basically just try to avoid getting sick so you only use medications when you REALLY need them!
Sidebar: Tylenol® is Acetaminophen, which is also called Paracetemol. Tylenol® is simply a popular brand name. Just like when we say, “pass me a Kleenex®” instead of “pass me a tissue”. Kleenex® is the brand name, the product is actually tissue. We identify the brand name as the actual product, that’s all. Also, speak to your physician before you stop or start taking any over-the-counter medications. Your doctor understands your specific situation best and will advise accordinglythey are the experts.
The down and dirty of what I learned:
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- In 2010 CBS News reported a possible link between Acetaminophen and asthma..just a link, so don’t toss out your medications yet.
- In late 2011, an article inPediatrics-2011-McBride-peds.2011-1106-1 publishes an article suggesting that Acetaminophen MAY (researchers can’t say for sure yet) provoke or worsen asthma!
- Many articles and news reports are continuing to discuss the a possible asthma Tylenol®/acetaminophen link.
- One British study revealed that the prevalence of asthma increased in step with acetaminophen sales.
- Some physicians question if a child is taking acetaminophen for fever, which is a result of a viral infection, that the virus is actually causing the asthma symptoms! Which came first the virus and asthma or acetaminophen and asthma?
- Until more information becomes available, some doctors are opting on the side of caution and urging parents to use ibuprofen.
photo courtesy of www.adrants.com
Until research has concluded, again, please remember to check in with your physician before you stop or start use of any medications. I am forever calling my pediatrician with “quick” questions and have left a message to get his opinion on this concept (I’ll update this blog with his answer). Since I ask way too many questions than the average parent, I always show my appreciation by dropping off some home-baked sun butter cookies or something interesting for them to enjoy.
In the spirit of not believing the first thing I hear, I did read several news articles and the original article published by Pediatrics-2011-McBride-peds.2011-1106-1. Interestingly enough, In August of 2010, CBS News reported, “Acetaminophen May Double Asthma Risk in Kids”. The study they are referring to came from the American Thoracic Society. They looked at 300,000 kids from 50 countries found a link with acetaminophen in that the risk for asthma, eczema and nasal congestion doubled. This study was only scratching the surface and the report reminded parents that there is not enough information to stop usage.
BUT…in November, 2011, USA today printed the article, “Acetaminophen Linked to Asthma in New Report” in which some physicians were reporting the reeling in the usage of acetaminophen until more larger scaled studies are completed. Sounds like they are following the better safe than sorry approach and there was enough information out there for them to consider taking action.
By December, 2011 The New York Times really laid it out in full detail in their article, “Evidence Mounts Linking Acetaminophen and Asthma”. Over the last 30 years the prevalence of pediatric asthma had a sharp increase. Asthma rates grew during the 80’s, about the same time that Aspirin was linked to Reyes Syndrome and was no longer given to children. That is about when parents switched over to Acetaminophen. Hum. This now sparked many studies and analysis of data that resulted in Dr. John T. McBride publishing the article in Pediatrics. Dr. McBride felt there was enough data to advise folks to pull back on using acetaminophen.
During an interview on National Public Radio (NPR) this February, Dr. McBride explains that acetaminophen may decrease levels of a molecule named glutathione, which protects the lungs! So even cold medicines containing acetaminophen can be a challenge! If you click on the NPR link, you can even listen to the interview.
So, my bottom line remains that maybe my family should simply get a little more aggressive about staying healthy and only relying and medications when truly necessary!
To add insult to injury, I just learned that the CVS brand of Junior Ibuprofen contains whey protein concentrate. Yup, I have an email into the allergist asking about my son’s dairy allergy and this product. Now you can see why I bring gifts of love to my doctor’s…I’m always asking some sort of question.
Hope you are having a fabulous Wednesday-Caroline
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One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
along with cooling measures (increased water intake, warm bath, a walk in the cool air, undressing, warm damp towels under arm & in the groin area), Tylenol -acetaminiphen- is the BEST fever reducing medication. keep the rescue inhaler & nebulizer handy at all times, dose per weight (ask the pharmacist), and use only when needed. discuss this in detail with the pulmonologist and pediatrician before the child is ill.
It’s nice to have a nurse in our midst! Thanks for sharing Judie!
wow, that’s so interesting- to think the meds we take cause more harm than good! So grateful for the discovery of essential oils! We use them for everything- and no harmful side-effects!
Jen, can you share how you use your oils?
…and which oils! I hit reply too soon!
Reyes Syndrome is supposed to be a complication of chicken pox, so I’ve wondered if aspirin would be safe to use again, now that children are immunized for chicken pox.
I wanted to give Cyrus something that aspirin in it last month and the warning scared me off quite well! Since he is so sensitive I put the box down and went a different route!