Tylenol for Hangover: Good or Unhealthy Concept?

Whether you are sipping from a elaborate glass or gulping straight by the bottle, alcohol could make it tempting to maintain ingesting extra. The rationale: In your first few glasses, alcohol causes dopamine—a feel-good hormone—to flood the mind’s reward heart, eliciting a pleasurable buzz you may solely sustain by having one other drink.

And we all know what that results in: a hangover the following morning. You may be tempted to take Tylenol to calm your signs. In spite of everything, it’s essentially the most available over-the-counter painkiller. However provided that your liver processes Tylenol and it’s already working extra time due to the alcohol, docs warn towards taking Tylenol (also called acetaminophen or paracetamol) for a hangover as a result of it may be arduous in your liver, particularly at excessive doses or with frequent use.

A 2021 research printed within the Journal of Theoretical Biology means that taking Tylenol with alcohol might enhance your danger of acetaminophen-induced acute liver harm—a situation that happens when alcohol and Tylenol trigger a build-up of poisons within the liver.

“Alcohol consumption causes further stress in your liver, so combining the 2 in a short while can probably result in liver injury in the long term,” says Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, a pharmacist and scientific editor on the GoodRx. “Higher choices are aspirin or ibuprofen, which get processed by the kidneys.”

What occurs while you take Tylenol for a hangover?

In response to Tanya Dall, MD, emergency medication specialist with Windfall Mission Hospital in Orange County, California, your physique first processes acetaminophen by absorbing it by the small gut. As soon as within the bloodstream, the liver enzymes metabolize it into smaller molecules—most of which will not do you any hurt.

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“Nonetheless, one in every of these substances, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), is a dangerous chemical. Fortunately, your liver takes care of it by a molecule known as glutathione—making it innocent and flushing it out while you pee,” says Dr. Woodcock.

However in case you take an excessive amount of Tylenol, or in case your liver is already stressed by processing alcohol, “it may well’t make sufficient glutathione to maintain up with the excesses, and poisonous NAPQI can construct up within the liver,” she says.

For an individual with a wholesome liver, the utmost day by day advisable acetaminophen allowance is 3000 milligrams. Including extra alcohol to the image, nonetheless, makes it simpler to set off liver toxicity.

Medical consultants warn that Tylenol toxicity is the most typical reason behind acute liver failure within the U.S., accounting for 56,000 emergency room visits, 2,600 hospitalizations, and 500 deaths per 12 months.

Tylenol toxicity is the most typical reason behind acute liver failure within the U.S.

“By ingesting an excessive amount of alcohol, your liver is already working overdrive, growing the manufacturing of poisonous and damaging substances. And long-term alcohol use can weaken your liver and make it much less capable of course of Tylenol safely,” Dr. Woodcock explains.

What are the potential problems?

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention notes that utilizing Tylenol collectively or inside a few hours of ingesting alcohol could cause problem respiration, liver failure, apnea, or liver injury.

“Early indicators of liver injury embody feeling nauseous, drained, and fewer hungry than regular. At this level, in case you keep away from substances which can be arduous on the liver, your liver cells might get well rapidly, and these signs will normally resolve on their very own,” says Dr. Woodcock.

Your possibilities of experiencing lasting liver injury depend upon how a lot alcohol and Tylenol you eat, and the way usually you mix them. Dr. Dall and Dr. Woodcock agree that in case you’ve had a drink or two and brought a normal dose of Tylenol, there’s in all probability no want to fret. However in case you’ve consumed a number of drinks, or taken extra Tylenol than advisable, then it’s essential to take note of how you feel.

“Search pressing medical consideration in case you’re experiencing any purple flags, resembling bleeding and bruising, darkish urine, weak spot, confusion, stomach ache or swelling and yellowing of the eyes or pores and skin,” Dr. Woodcock provides.

And, in case you’re feeling nauseated, “resist the urge to set off your gag reflex and induce vomiting—this may result in choking,” Dr. Dall warns.

What remedies can work as an alternative?

For those who’re searching for a hangover therapy that will not enhance your danger of liver injury, you may have a few choices.

Dr. Woodcock says hydration is vital, since dehydration contributes to many widespread hangover signs. Sipping on water or an electrolyte-rich drink like coconut water or Gatorade may also help you’re feeling higher rapidly.

“For abdomen points, drugs like Pepcid or Zantac might assist. NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or naproxen, are higher choices for ache and headache since they do not have an effect on the liver. However they are often arduous on the abdomen, so taking them with meals is a good suggestion, and you need to solely take them if different treatments have but to work,” she says.

And bear in mind, prevention is vital. “Consuming alcohol modestly and responsibly is the most effective strategy to defending your physique from hurt,” Dr. Woodcock says.