Repeated Acetaminophen Use May Not Be as Safe as Previously Thought
A study in the United Kingdom found that “repeated doses” of acetaminophen for people aged 65 and older may lead to health complications. University of Nottingham researchers found that people who often take acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol and which is called paracetamol (Panadol) in several other countries, should take extra care when dosing for chronically painful conditions such as osteoarthritis, according to a news release issued on Dec. 12, 2024. “Due to its perceived safety, paracetamol has long been recommended as the first line drug treatment for osteoarthritis by many treatment guidelines, especially in older people who are at higher risk of drug-related complications,” said University of Nottingham professor Weiya Zhang in a statement published in the Arthritis Care and Research journal. The study’s authors said they analyzed data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink-Gold, a UK medical database, and analyzed participants aged 65 and older who had an...