Online Pharmacy Medicine Blog

With the FDA raising concerns last week about Extra Strength Tylenol and other acetaminophen products potentially causing liver damage, should you consider switching from Tylenol to aspirin or ibuprofen?

The short answer is “no.” If you are not taking other prescription pain medications (such as Vicodin or Percocet) in addition to Tylenol, and you take Tylenol as directed, you shouldn’t be at risk of hurting your liver.

Remember, virtually all drugs have risks in large doses. Aspirin, for example, carries the risk of stomach ulcer and gastrointestinal bleeding when taken at high doses and/or for extended periods (such as when treating chronic pain).

Here’s a brief overview of the most commonly used over-the-counter pain relievers — acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen — and what you should know about each:

Aspirin. (Popular brands: Bayer, Bufferin) The most common OTC pain reliever, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, reacts with our blood chemistry to inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which helps to control headaches, minor aches and pain, and inflammation. Aspirin therapy is also being used today in the treatment of heart disease. But as ubiquitious as aspirin appears to be, it’s not without risk — and it’s not for everyone. For those with sensitive digestive systems, it can cause stomach upset, heartburn and even dyspepsia. It’s also an anticoagulant, which makes it bad for hemophiliacs and a bad choice for pain relief after you’ve had surgery. It’s also been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a disease in children, when aspirin is used to relieve discomfort associated with fever.

Acetaminophen. (Popular brands: Tylenol) This pain reliever soothes headaches and lowers fevers, but it is not an anti-inflammatory, so it won’t do much to help with arthritis and other body aches and pains. The biggest benefit of acetaminophen, relative to other headache pills, is that is won’t irritate the lining of your stomach. If you have acid reflux, ulcers or other digestive tract issues, acetaminophen is generally a clear choice over aspirin. Acetaminophen is also considered safer for hemophiliacs and children. However, doctors warn that it’s easier to overdose on acetaminophen than aspirin — a concern underscored by the FDA panel’s ruling. So be sure to take this drug only as directed.

Ibuprofen. (Popular brands: Advil, Motrin) Ibuprofen is chemically similar to aspirin and functions similarly as well, but in lower doses, it tends to be less irritating to the upper digestive system. So if you find aspirin difficult to stomach, but have body aches and pains that acetaminophen can’t treat, ibuprofen is often the best answer for ailments like arthritis, sunburns, sprains and the like.

A Utah mother who lost her son to OxyContin abuse is taking her case to Washington, D.C., and fighting to have the prescription drug taken off the market.

Sandra Kresser’s son Josh died three years ago of a drug overdose after a long battle with addiction, which began when he was prescribed OxyContin after back surgery.

Kresser says the drug is simply too addictive and too dangerous:

At this point we are now calling for a ban on OxyContin. If the FDA doesn’t, then the people on the FDA need to be replaced because they are not doing their job to protect the safety and well being of the American public.

In 2007, prescription drug overdoses led to more deaths in Utah than either car accidents or illicit narcotics.

Kresser is urging concerned Americans to sign an OxyContin petition asking the FDA to ban the drug. It reads in part:

OxyContin has been implicated in many times more U.S. deaths than caused by 9/11 and the Iraq War combined since Purdue Pharma began producing and selling it in 1995. OxyContin is molecularly almost identical to and acts in the body in the same manner as heroin…

In 2007, Purdue and three top executives of Purdue Pharma pled guilty in Virginia in relation to misleading the public about the addictive qualities and safety of OxyContin and paid fines totaling over $634 million. But no Purdue Pharma executive went to jail and the FDA has allowed OxyContin to remain on the market…

By signing this petition, you are requesting the FDA to immediately ban the distribution of OxyContin to new patients…

The signatures page of the petition includes many heartbreaking stories. Here are just a few of them –

Mindy Savage: My husband is a recovering OxyContin addict. His addiction started after needing surgery for a broken femur. We are so blessed to still have him with us. It is a long hard battle that does not just hurt the individual, but the family as well.

Shay L. Clements: My older brother has been addicted to this for a couple years now. It’s a single pill that will take over your life just like heroin. I don’t see how these doctors can just prescribe them out like it’s nothing. If I could have one wish in this world it would be to ban OxyContin.

Carla Whiting: I work at a hospital and I see how many people’s lives are destroyed by addiction to pain medications. It sickens me to see the effects of addiction, particularly addiction to prescription medications. I am so glad that someone finally is standing up against such a horrible pandemic.

Kresser is heading to Washington to speak with lawmakers and FDA officials next week.