Latest news with #acetaminophen
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Tylenol doesn't work the way we thought it does
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Acetaminophen is widely used to relieve pain, but exactly how it works has long been a mystery. Now, a new study suggests that a key byproduct of acetaminophen may block pain signals at the nerves — before they can reach the brain. Acetaminophen, also called paracetamol or Tylenol, is broken down by the liver into a compound called 4-aminophenol, which travels through the bloodstream to different organs. There, an enzyme links it with a fatty acid to produce AM404. Previous research found that AM404 can act in the central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord. But the new study, published June 4 in the journal PNAS, reveals that AM404 also affects the peripheral nervous system, where pain signals originate. "These results fundamentally change our understanding of paracetamol's mode of action," study co-authors Alexander Binshtok, a professor in pain research, and Avi Priel, a professor of pharmacy, both at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told Live Science in an email. Nial Wheate, a professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at Macquarie University in Australia, who wasn't involved in the study, agreed. "Even though we have been using paracetamol for the management of pain for more than 130 years, we still don't fully understand how the drug works," Wheate told Live Science. One widely held theory was that acetaminophen stopped the body from making. prostaglandins, which can trigger pain and inflammation, he said."If the results of this study are confirmed, then it significantly changes our understanding of the drug." However, the new study was in rats, so the findings may not apply in humans, he added. To test the effects of AM404, the scientists applied the compound to sensory neurons taken from newborn rats. They found that it blocks sodium channels — proteins that normally allow charged sodium particles to pass in and out of cells, which are essential for generating and transmitting pain signals. By blocking these channels, AM404 keeps the neurons from sending pain messages to the brain. Other byproducts of acetaminophen had no such effect. The researchers also injected AM404 into the paws of rats and tested their responses to painful stimuli. The treated paws became less sensitive to heat and pressure, with the strongest effect appearing about an hour after the injection. Importantly, the pain relief was limited to the site of the injection, leaving the other paw unaffected. While the findings may not change how acetaminophen is currently used to treat pain, they could influence the development of next-generation painkillers that are potentially safer, Wheate said. Acetaminophen overdoses can damage the liver and are responsible for 56,000 emergency visits a year in the U.S. RELATED STORIES —FDA approves 1st new class of opioid-free painkillers in over 20 years —Ozempic in a pill? New oral drug may work as well as Ozempic-style injectables —Acne vaccine: Experimental shot for common skin condition reaches clinical trials. Here's what you need to know. "Whole families of new drugs could be designed based around blocking sodium channels. These new drugs could be both more effective and safer than not just paracetamol, but other painkillers like ibuprofen or the opioids," Wheate said. Looking ahead, Binshtok and Priel hope to design improved versions of AM404 that are more chemically stable and optimized to work in the peripheral nervous system, they added. They also plan to test whether these compounds can help with chronic or nerve-related pain, where standard treatments often fall short. Another important next step is to assess the safety and therapeutic potential of AM404 in greater detail. This involves understanding how it is broken down and distributed in the body and whether it might affect any other organs.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
NSAIDs vs. acetaminophen: What you need to know before your next headache
Most households have a stash of painkillers tucked away for surprise headaches or stubborn cramps. But some may not realize that all painkillers are not created equal, and they don't all treat the same kind of pain. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers fall into two main categories, according to MedLine Plus. The first is NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen and naproxen. "These reduce both pain and inflammation, but can irritate the stomach if not taken with food," Dr. Jessica Oswald, MD, MPH, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at UC San Diego Health, told Fox News Digital. The other medication, acetaminophen, also helps with pain and fever, but does not reduce inflammation, Oswald noted. Dr. Min "Frank" Wu, a physician at AdventHealth in Littleton, Colorado, elaborated on how these drugs work differently in the body. NSAIDs are effective in treating fever and pain relief, the doctor told Fox News Digital. These medications can alleviate a variety of symptoms related to arthritis, infection, back injury, headaches and muscle strain, along with other acute and chronic conditions that cause pain and inflammation, he said. "NSAIDs work by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) throughout the body," he noted, which means they inhibit the production of "biological mediators" that cause inflammation and blood clotting. Acetaminophen, on the other hand, works by "inhibiting COX enzymes and modulating the endocannabinoid system in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to exert its effects," Wu said. As a pain reliever, acetaminophen is effective for migraines, according to the doctor. "In combination, acetaminophen/caffeine is recommended as a first-line agent by many European agencies," he noted. Acetaminophen's effectiveness for arthritic pain, however, is small and not clinically important, according to Wu. "It has not been shown to be effective for low back pain or radicular (nerve pain) in general," he added. Wu pointed out that acetaminophen appears to boost the pain-relief properties of other medications. "The combination of acetaminophen and NSAIDs has been shown to be more effective than either medication alone," Wu said. Oswald also spoke about this method, which she calls a "multimodal" approach. "In many cases, combining different types of pain relievers can be more effective than using just one," she told Fox News Digital. For example, an NSAID like ibuprofen along with acetaminophen and a topical cream "can work together to relieve pain more effectively," Oswald said. Research has shown that NSAIDs have multiple adverse effects and should be used with caution, both doctors pointed out. "They have been shown to cause gastrointestinal issues, and in severe cases can cause ulcers and bleeding," Wu noted. These side effects appear to be dependent on the size of the dose, the doctor added. "In many cases, combining different types of pain relievers can be more effective than using just one." There is evidence of increased gastric effects, kidney impairment and heart disease at higher doses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also issued warnings about cardiovascular risk. At high enough doses, it can (less commonly) cause liver damage, which can potentially be fatal, according to Wu. Oswald recommended that people with certain health conditions — such as kidney problems, heart issues or stomach ulcers — should talk to a doctor before using NSAIDs. Acetaminophen has been linked to a potential risk of liver injury and allergic reactions, according to the FDA. Rare but serious skin reactions have also been reported. "Acetaminophen is generally safer for most people, as long as they stay under 3,000 milligrams per day," Oswald added. After weighing the benefits and risks, the doctor said that people should "absolutely" keep both types of OTC medications on hand at home. "Having a few different options allows you to manage pain more effectively by targeting it in different ways," she said. For more Health articles, visit Ultimately, if pain doesn't improve or keeps coming back, it's best to consult a healthcare professional who can assess the cause and discuss other treatment options, including prescription medications.
New York Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- New York Times
What's Best for My Pain: Tylenol or Advil?
Q: I never know which type of over-the-counter pain medication to use for different types of pain, like headaches, sprained ankles or sore muscles. Which works best for these unique situations? When you have various aches and pains, it can be challenging to decide which over-the-counter pain reliever is best matched for your affliction — Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, Motrin? The choice, experts say, really comes down to just two classes of medication: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs). Each addresses pain in its own way, said Mary Lynn McPherson, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. And not all types of pain respond equally well to both, she added. Here's how to tell what types of pain these drugs are most effective at relieving, and how to use them safely. How They Work NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin (Bayer), help relieve pain by rushing to sites of inflammation throughout the body, said Dr. Katherin Peperzak, medical director of the Center for Pain Relief at the University of Washington Medical Center. They reduce or block two enzymes (called COX-1 and COX-2). This action hinders the production of prostaglandins, chemicals that contribute to swelling, inflammation and pain, Dr. Peperzak said. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), on the other hand, is dispatched to receptors in the brain and the spinal cord, but what it does from there is a little more mysterious. 'We're not 100 percent sure how the heck that bad boy works,' Dr. McPherson said. One theory is that it also reduces certain COX enzymes, Dr. Peperzak said. But acetaminophen doesn't target inflammation like NSAIDs do, Dr. McPherson added. When to Use Them Acetaminophen and NSAIDs can relieve many of the same types of pain. But there are pros and cons to each. NSAIDS are best at treating inflammation-related pain that occurs anywhere in the body, whether it's localized to one spot (as with migraine headaches, toothaches, muscle strains or cuts) or spread throughout (as with arthritis pain). 'If you've got redness, heat, swelling, or it's an acute injury, there's probably some inflammation,' Dr. Peperzak said, and your pain is a good candidate for NSAIDs. All NSAIDs work similarly, so choose the one that's most effective for you, said Dr. F. Michael Ferrante, director of the Pain Management Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Naproxen (sold as Aleve), however, does tend to keep pain away for longer than the other NSAIDs — about 12 hours, Dr. McPherson said. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), on the other hand, works for closer to four to six hours. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is most effective for more mild pain that is not caused by inflammation, Dr. Peperzak said. It can help with mild arthritis pain or tension headaches, for example, Dr. McPherson said — or body aches related to a cold, Dr. Peperzak added. It's less helpful for migraine headaches or menstrual pain, she said. Unlike NSAIDs, acetaminophen won't treat symptoms of inflammation like swelling or redness, Dr. McPherson said, which could cause the body to take longer to heal. Both classes of drugs can help reduce a fever, Dr. Ferrante said. Using Them Safely Unless your doctor recommends otherwise, it's best to follow the product's dosing guidelines, Dr. Ferrante said. For adults, that's typically no more than 3,000 milligrams of acetaminophen per day, he said — and up to 1,200 milligrams per day for ibuprofen, 660 milligrams for naproxen and 4,000 milligrams for aspirin. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs can be taken together, either at the same time or by alternating them throughout the day. This lets you 'benefit from both mechanisms,' since they work differently for pain relief, especially if you aren't getting results from one alone, Dr. Peperzak said. However, avoid doing this with individual categories of NSAIDs (by mixing ibuprofen with naproxen, for example). Using too much at once or for long periods of time increases the risk of developing chronic acid reflux, nausea, ulcers or kidney problems, Dr. Ferrante said. It also increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure, Dr. McPherson added. Certain people — such as those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, are taking blood thinners or have a history of high blood pressure or kidney, liver or heart disease — should avoid NSAIDs (or at least consult a doctor first), Dr. McPherson said. Acetaminophen is less likely to cause side effects, Dr. Peperzak said. Minor ones may include a rash, nausea or constipation. But acetaminophen can be toxic to your liver when taken at high doses, Dr. McPherson said, so avoid it if you have a history of alcoholism or liver disease. If you need to use any of these drugs for more than a few days, consult a doctor, who may recommend prescription-strength versions of the medications or other pain treatments. And if you aren't sure which drug to take in the first place, a doctor or a pharmacist can help recommend a medication based on your specific needs, Dr. McPherson said.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
B.C. opioid rules were to reduce overdoses. But they cut cancer patients' pain meds
Prescription pills containing oxycodone and acetaminophen are shown in Toronto, Dec. 23, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
