Acetaminophen linked to asthma in new report

[The Straight Story]

Acetaminophen linked to asthma in new report

Acetaminophen may worsen asthma symptoms in both adults and children, a provocative new report suggests.

The report, which was published in the journal Pediatrics on Monday, reviewed recent studies on the medication, which is also marketed as Tylenol. Those studies suggest that the drug may exacerbate asthma in children and adults who already have the condition and could even spark new cases.

Dr. John McBride says he wrote the report because he realized that few of his fellow pediatricians had ever heard of the studies linking acetaminophen with asthma – and therefore most parent’s hadn’t either.

“I decided … to do what I could to make sure pediatricians and other primary care physicians – as well as my own patients and their parents – realized that there is a possibility that simply avoiding acetaminophen in preference of some other equally effective treatment for fever or pain might make an important difference to a child’s asthma,” said McBride, director of the Robert T. Stone Respiratory Center at the Akron Children’s Hospital.

http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/07/8640808-acetaminophen-linked-to-asthma-in-new-report

[mike_c]

1. acetaminophen scares the piss out of me....

I have mild arthritis and some degenerative joint pain. Not life threatening or even life changing, at this point. But I do take anti-inflammatories pretty much daily, usually 400 mg of ibuprofen and 300 or so mg of aspirin. I stay the hell away from acetaminophen though. It's just too tough on the liver.

[bemildred]

3. +1. nt

[etherealtruth]

11. I have no idea how this ever became a first line drug of choice

It has weak antipyretic properties and weak (nonexistent) anti-inflammatory properties and weak pain relieving properties ... how the hell did this come to be commonly used?

I take ibuprofen or aspirin. I do understand that folk on anti-coagulants or with bleeding disorders can't take ibuprofen or ASA ... they are kinda stuck with bad old tylenol.

[REP]

14. Because NSAIDs are nephrotoxic and really shouldn't be taken for more than 3 days at a time

Some people, like me, can't take them at all due to severe kidney disease and I'm allergic to aspirin ... so it's narcotics and acetaminophen.

[etherealtruth]

19. Of course ... I could have listed nephrotoxicity as an other of the conditions where these drugs ...

... should not be taken. there are times when acetaminophen based drugs are the only alternative ...however, they are a poor alternative as a first line drug when treating fever and minor pain.

all of these drugs have significant risks associated with their use.

[REP]

21. NSAIDs are *always* nephrotoxic. Always, to everyone.

[etherealtruth]

There are significant risks associated with sustained use of any drugs ...

I will take my chances with an NSAID or ASA over acetaminophen every time. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen sulfate are more powerful antipyretics, anti-inflammatory (of course) and pain relievers.

No one should take any of these drugs on a regular basis if not supervised by a physician (or other competent health-care practitioner)... that includes tylenol

[REP]

26. Get routine urinslysis for hematuria and proteinuria if you use NSAIDs regularly

That is, for more than 3 days at a time once a month or more. Your doctor may need to be prompted to do these tests.

[etherealtruth]

23. There are significant risks associated with sustained use of any drugs ...

I will take my chances with an NSAID or ASA over acetaminophen every time. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen sulfate are more powerful antipyretics, anti-inflammatory (of course) and pain relievers.

No one should take any of these drugs on a regular basis if not supervised by a physician (or other competent health-care practitioner)... that includes tylenol

[REP]

13. Ibuprofen is hell on your kidneys, especially when taken daily for years

If your doctor isn't doing yearly urinalysis for hematuria/microhematuria and proteinuria s/he should be. Shif is nephrotoxic (all NSAIDs are). Clinoril (Sulindac) is the safest drug in this class but it is Rx only (available as a generic).

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. I knew a woman who lived on Ibuprofen daily (for years) because of Fibromyalgia pain.

She died from Kidney failure at the age of 45. :( That stuff is scary too!

[REP]

20. FMS won't kill you, but the treatment might - NSAIDs now have a Black Box warning

Of course, this was first noted in the 80s - that's when I saw the FDA bulletin.

[quinnox]

2. I avoid Acetaminophen

Good old aspirin is what I use, and it is awesome. Acetaminophen is scary as noted above, try reading all the warnings about it on the label sometime.

[abelenkpe]

4. What is wrong with asprin again?

Never could understand the big switch away from it.

[quinnox]

5. aspirin has been shown to reduce the chance of certain cancers in studies

of people who take it daily.

The risks of prolonged use is it could produce internal bleeding like a stomach ulcer. But the risks seem acceptable.

[Tesha]

6. Stomach bleeding in some people. Severe alergic reactions in some others.

For many people, though, aspirin is fine, albeit
not the most effective painkiller in the armamentarium.

Tesha

[abelenkpe]

8. Ooooo

had to look that word up. :) So what would you say is the most effective pain killer?

[REP]

18. Depends upon cause of pain and gender

What works for a migraine may not help much for tendinitis. Etc.

[Tesha]

24. It probably depends on many factors.

Me, I don't suffer too much from any major aspirin-family
side effects so I like ibuprofen (which is the ingredient
in "Advil").

Tesha

[Lars39]

7. Reye's Syndrome affecting people under age 20 started that trend, iirc.

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. You shouldn't take aspirin if you have a temperature or viral infection. You could die.

I had a neighbor whose little 4 year daughter old was sick with the flu and she gave her aspirin (this was back in the 70s) and her daughter died from Reyes Syndrome.

Reye's syndrome is a potentially fatal disease that causes numerous detrimental effects to many organs, especially the brain and liver, as well as causing a lower than usual level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia).<1> The classic features are liver damage, aspirin use and a viral infection. The exact cause is unknown, and while it has been associated with aspirin consumption by children with viral illness, it also occurs in the absence of aspirin use.

The disease causes fatty liver with minimal inflammation and severe encephalopathy (with swelling of the brain). The liver may become slightly enlarged and firm, and there is a change in the appearance of the kidneys. Jaundice is not usually present.<2>

Early diagnosis is vital; while most children recover with supportive therapy, severe brain injury or death are potential complications.<snip>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reye%27s_syndrome

edited for spelling :D

[abelenkpe]

15. Thank you

I won't ever give aspirin to my kids then.

[REP]

16. Everyone has a temperature; when sick, one has a fever (elevated temperature)

Reyes's occurs in those under 20.

[in_cog_ni_to]

22. Thanks. FEVER. :) Adults also can have Reyes Syndrome. From National Reye's Syndrome Foundation:

National Reye's Syndrome Foundation

Reye's Syndrome, a deadly disease, strikes swiftly and can attack any child, teen, or adult without warning. All body organs are affected, with the liver and brain suffering most seriously. While the cause and cure remain unknown, research has established a link between Reye's Syndrome and the use of aspirin and other salicylate containing medications, over the counter products, and topical use products. In 1974, the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation, a health advocacy organization, was incorporated as a 501(c)3 charity, whose mission is to eradicate the incidence of Reye's Syndrome.

http://www.reyessyndrome.org/

[TheMadMonk]

25. Well apart from it being out of patent, it really isn't all that kind...

...to the lining of the stomach when taken over an extended period of time.

[laundry_queen]

9. Wow, this definitely pertains to me

I wonder if it is related to my new asthma flare up. I had a chest cold/flu that turned into bronchitis and an awful flare up, where none of my original meds were working at all. The only thing I did differently is I took tons of cold medication to try an power through it so I didn't miss any school, and I can't take advil because it bothers my stomach so I take cold remedies with acetaminophen instead. The cough and wheeze are still lingering nearly 2 months later and I had to go on a new inhaler medication. My baseline is zero meds, so this unusual. The only times this has happened to me is when I have taken cold/flu medication. Hmmm.

[LiberalEsto]

10. Nyquil contains acetaminophen

and so do numerous other over the counter combination medications for colds, headaches, etc.

I can't fathom why Nyquil contains both acetaminphen and alcohol, because acetaminophen can cause liver damage if taken with alcohol.