Transcript A Look at Tylenol And its Effects on Us

A Look at Tylenol
And its Effects on Us
Patrick Alexander
What is Tylenol?
-Acetaminophen: a synthetic nonaspirin pain
reliever or analgesic that can be combined with
other drugs (such as codeine) to help alleviate
pain and reduce fevers
-Molecular Formula: C8H9NO2
-It is a white, crystalline powder in appearance.
How is it Administered?
-Administration: all Tylenol products (there is
quite a few of them) are consumed orally.
Children’s dosages are usually either chewable
tablets or liquid formulas, whilst adult dosages
are extended-release capsules.
-Recomm. Adult Dosage (12 yrs and up): 650 –
1000 mg every 4 to 6 hrs, not exceeding 4000 mg
in 24 hrs.
-Recomm. Child Dosage (under 12 yrs): 10 – 15
mg/kg every 4 to 6 hrs, not exceeding 5 doses in
24 hrs.
How does it work?
-Surprisingly, very little is known as to how
acetaminophen works in the body. What is
known, though, is that acetaminophen inhibits
an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (say that five
times fast) – which is a key player in pain,
inflammation, and fever. Acetaminophen works
in the body’s central nervous system to stop
pain while other pain relievers, such as aspirin,
stop the pain where it is located.
Side Effects
-Side effects of Tylenol are not common. However,
exceeding the recommended dosage can result in
damage to the liver. This is why mixing large
amounts of alcohol with acetaminophen is a
bad idea.
-Other possible side effects include:
-dark urine, discolored stools
-jaundice
-low fever with nausea and loss of appetite
Acquisition & Costs
-Tylenol products are OTC and do not require a
prescription (this does not include Tylenol with
Codeine)
-The cost of an Extra Strength Tylenol 100 capsule
pack ranges from $8.85 to $10.99 – depending on
your area
-Generic brands may be cheaper
The 1982 Chicago Tylenol Murders
-Tylenol bottles were tampered with and cyanide
pills were methodically inserted into them
sometime after they left the factory.
-Many innocent people were killed, thus causing
reform in the packaging of OTC drugs (seals,
etc.)
Works Cited
-“Extra Strength Tylenol” Label on Bottle
-Rx List: The Internet Drug Index
http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/hp.asp
-"acetaminophen". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia
Britannica Online.
Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 02 Jun. 2013
<http://www.britannica.com/>.
-“The Tylenol Terrorist”
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/terrorists_spies/terrorists/tyle
nol_murders/index.html