Aug 14, 2026 05:44 PM
https://gizmodo.com/liver-injuries-are-u...2000798328
EXCERPTS: American livers have been taking more of a beating over the past several decades, research out today suggests, and the primary culprit might surprise you.
Researchers at the University of Virginia studied national poison center data, looking specifically at liver injuries caused by external substances. Since 2000, such reports have skyrocketed, with the most common source of injury being acetaminophen taken alone, the over-the-counter painkiller best known by the brand name drug Tylenol, they found.
The findings show that externally caused liver injuries “have increased substantially over the past 25 years, with [acetaminophen taken alone] emerging as a growing and persistent contributor,” the researchers wrote in their paper, published Thursday in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
[...] Acetaminophen is an invaluable pain and fever reliever. Compared to other common pain meds like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, it’s gentler on the stomach. It’s also considered the safest OTC painkiller that women can use while pregnant (contrary to recent fearmongering from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., taking it during pregnancy doesn’t seem to raise the risk of autism). But we’ve long known that acetaminophen has a risk of causing liver damage, especially when it’s taken in higher doses than recommended.
[...] An occasional dose of Tylenol for a headache is perfectly fine, but as with most things in medicine and life, a little moderation goes a long way. People might take more acetaminophen than recommended to cope with an especially bad bout of pain or because they mistakenly think more is always better. But the risk of liver injury is highest when overdosing... (MORE - missing details)
EXCERPTS: American livers have been taking more of a beating over the past several decades, research out today suggests, and the primary culprit might surprise you.
Researchers at the University of Virginia studied national poison center data, looking specifically at liver injuries caused by external substances. Since 2000, such reports have skyrocketed, with the most common source of injury being acetaminophen taken alone, the over-the-counter painkiller best known by the brand name drug Tylenol, they found.
The findings show that externally caused liver injuries “have increased substantially over the past 25 years, with [acetaminophen taken alone] emerging as a growing and persistent contributor,” the researchers wrote in their paper, published Thursday in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
[...] Acetaminophen is an invaluable pain and fever reliever. Compared to other common pain meds like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, it’s gentler on the stomach. It’s also considered the safest OTC painkiller that women can use while pregnant (contrary to recent fearmongering from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., taking it during pregnancy doesn’t seem to raise the risk of autism). But we’ve long known that acetaminophen has a risk of causing liver damage, especially when it’s taken in higher doses than recommended.
[...] An occasional dose of Tylenol for a headache is perfectly fine, but as with most things in medicine and life, a little moderation goes a long way. People might take more acetaminophen than recommended to cope with an especially bad bout of pain or because they mistakenly think more is always better. But the risk of liver injury is highest when overdosing... (MORE - missing details)
