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Why Is Tylenol The Culprit?

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For several years now, researchers have blamed common analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers), mainly acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), as potential causes of asthma symptoms and new-onset asthma. However, more recent evidence seems to vindicate pain medicine. Here’s 5 things to know. Tylenol becomes the leading pain medicine. In 1980, Aspirin was linked with Reye’s Syndrome. This was also the same year that Tylenol was marketed as the pain reliever hospitals choose first. This quickly turned out to be a huge boon for the makers of Tylenol, whose sales skyrocketed over the ensuing years. Later in the decade ibuprofen became available as an alternative over the counter pain medicine and fever …show more content…

Study after study continued to confirm suspicions that common pain relievers were guilty. (3-4) Most studies only involve Tylenol. Keep in mind, that since acetaminophen is the most commonly used pain reliever and fever reducer, it’s the one most often used in studies. It is generally considered a weaker pain reliever to ibuprofen, although it is more widely used because it's better tolerated than Aspirin and ibuprofen, which have both been shown to irritate the stomach. (3) Tylenol seems to lower glutathione levels. A theory arose that taking Tylenol reduces glutathione. It’s a protein produced by many cells in your body, but it’s also an antioxidant that prevents free radicals from causing oxidative stress, which can cause damage to cells, such as cells lining airways. Various studies have linked this with both asthma symptoms and new-onset asthma. Tylenol mostly affects glutathione levels in the liver, although it has also been shown to lower glutathione levels in the lungs. However, there are also other things that might lower glutathione. (4-6) The suspicions inspired concerns. Parents and physicians alike often wondered if they should even recommend these common pain relievers and fever reducers for children. Despite the link, the makers of Tylenol continued to insist their product was safe for adults and children of all ages. Many researchers continued to agree with the makers of Tylenol, noting that the link may simply be a

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