Natural Tylenol Alternatives
You’ve likely reached for a bottle of Tylenol at some point in your life. Whether you’ve used it for fever, muscle aches, joint pain or anything else, we’d encourage you to understand the risks and explore alternatives to treat your pain. If you're thinking oh I never take Tylenol (AKA acetaminophen), read more on the risks of Ibuprofen.
WHAT IS TYLENOL?
WHAT IS TYLENOL?
Tylenol is a popular brand name for acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter drug typically used to treat pain and fever, along with muscle and fascia pain and neuropathy. It is also known as paracetamol. It is actually the compound N-acetyl-para-aminophenol. It has been used for about 50 years. However, many people don’t understand the drug and certainly aren’t aware of its risks. In America, when asked if Tylenol, a brand of paracetamol, contained paracetamol, 50% did not think that it did.
It’s also used as a pain-reliever for arthritis, however, this short-term pain reduction doesn’t attack the root cause of arthritis. It only masks the symptoms. One of its primary functions is to function as a fever-reducing agent. A Cochrane review found that it is no better than placebo for chronic back pain or arthritis. For pain after surgery, about 25% of people will benefit from paracetamol or acetaminophen. For headache, that drops to 10%. This is based on the systemic reviews often looked at for population-level information. However, if it works to reduce acute pain, then that is a good thing. The trouble is the side effects.
It’s been historically lumped in with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), because it’s believed to react similarly, but it lacks the anti-inflammatory properties required to classify it as a NSAID. It is the drug of choice for those who cannot take NSAIDs. This group includes younger children, the salicylate-sensitized, those with bronchial asthma, those with peptic ulcer disease, those with hemophilia and the pregnant or breast-feeding, and others.
However, it’s also present in some prescription drugs, and taking too much acetaminophen can cause permanent liver damage and even death. So, people with liver damage or who have a history of alcohol abuse should exercise caution when considering acetaminophen for pain relief. The maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen or paracetamol is 4 grams.
These side effects may seem extreme, but they are possible – along with several common side effects.
Acetaminophen/paracetamol works through the peripheral and central anti-nociceptive pathways. It was discovered by accident – a common way we discover medications apparently. Two young doctors were experimenting with worm eradication from people and found that when they gave acetanilide (accidentally) instead of naphthalene the patients’ high temperatures were diminished. The first version of this drug was called ‘antifebrin’. However, this first version was also highly toxic. It took a while, but in 1948 the toxic component of that drug was discovered and the non-toxic (sort of) component was also characterized. Thus was born paracetamol. Its first commercial appearance was as an agent to reduce fever in children. This was in 1955 by McNeil Laboratories. Only a year later, in 1956, this drug was available over the counter in the UK and has been since. It was released as an OTC well before anyone had a clue how it worked. In the US it came onto the market in 1950.
It suppresses prostaglandin production as do NSAIDs. However, it does not have the GI side effects. It also is said to not have anti-inflammatory properties. The lack of anti-inflammatory properties might be due to the reduction of efficacy of paracetamol by peroxides. These are reactive oxygen species produced in inflammation situations. Therefore, paracetamol might inhibit the COX2 enzyme, but is inhibited itself by free radicals. It does seem to have preferential inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme. It also inhibits pain sensations by stimulating descending serotonergic pathways. It also seems to act beneficially on the endocannabinoid system in an indirect manner. It also blocks the chemical messenger in the brain area that regulates temperature. The preoptic area of the hypothalamus (POA) controls temperature. Fever is triggered by bacterial or viral molecules (pyrogens) that induce production of prostaglandins in the endothelial cells of the POA. When there are more prostaglandins, because of inflammation created to fight an infection, the POA has a controlled hyperthermia. This hyperthermia helps to fight infections by damaging the pathogen. That is a fever. Paracetamol inhibits the formation of the prostaglandins in the hypothalamus. Regarding metabolism, 90% of it is metabolized in the liver.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF TYLENOL
Tylenol can lead to these adverse reactions:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Rash /or itching
- Headaches
- Jaundice
- Muscle spasms
- Insomnia / anxiety
- Liver damage
It can also interact with several different types of medications. Tylenol may interact with hormonal birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, cancer medications, cholesterol medications, treatments for gout or arthritis and more. That being said, everything interacts with everything else; best to discuss with your treating physician.
FIND PAIN RELIEF - WITHOUT TYLENOL
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GIVE YOURSELF A LEG UP WITH WELL THEORY
Even with a healthy diet and exercise routine, you may not get all the pain relief you need. It can be frustrating when you’re trying to transition to more natural methods of treatment – and we completely understand.
Dr. Warner developed Well Theory because she had patients at her private practice that were struggling with the same dilemma.
She understands that pain management is different for different people, and what works for you may not work for someone else. Which is why it can be frustrating to see her clients and others, trying to treat different types of pain with only a few over-the-counter options that can leave them with worse side effects than when they started.
If you’re used to the quick effects of Tylenol, you may want to start with any of Dr. Warner’s topical creams. These creams include several anti-inflammatory and pain relieving products to help reduce your pain with a more targeted approach.
Arthritis Bundle
Our Tart Cherry Extract is a single-ingredient supplement with 1,500mg of pain and inflammation relieving power. This supplement, along with the Joint Health Multi, rivals the pain fighting benefits of NSAIDs, without the side effects. Our Joint Health Multi features turmeric with a 95% concentration of curcuminoids, ginger, and PEA. The medicinal history of turmeric and ginger goes back thousands of years, while PEA is produced by your body as a natural reaction to pain.
Longevity Series
If you’re looking to improve your health at the cellular level and reduce your risk for chronic pain caused by inflammation or oxidative stress, then look no further than Dr. Warner’s Longevity Series. The Longevity Series features Berberine, NMN, and Resveratrol. Together, these three single-ingredient supplements can improve your energy levels, help you lose weight, slow down aging, and possibly reduce your biological age.
Optimal Aging
As mentioned above, a key element of the Mediterranean Diet are omega-3 fatty acids. This nutrient reduces inflammation, improves cardiovascular health and helps brain function. Omega-3 can be found in Well Theory’s Nervous System Multi, alongside PEA, a natural compound produced by your body to reduce pain. Check out our Nervous System Multi to reduce pain and age optimally.
Fast Acting Pain Relief
As mentioned above, a key element of the Mediterranean Diet are omega-3 fatty acids. This nutrient reduces inflammation, improves cardiovascular health and helps brain function. Omega-3 can be found in Well Theory’s Nervous System Multi, alongside PEA, a natural compound produced by your body to reduce pain. Check out our Nervous System Multi to reduce pain and age optimally.
Just remember – you don’t have to rely on Tylenol or other traditional pain relievers, because most of the ingredients in Well Theory supplements have been used to relieve pain for even longer. You deserve to continue doing what you love and maintaining control over your health.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Meredith Warner is the creator of Well Theory and The Healing Sole. She is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Air Force Veteran.
She is on a mission to disrupt traditional medicine practices and promote betterment physically, spiritually and mentally to many more people. She advocates for wellness and functional health over big pharma so more people can age vibrantly with more function and less pain.
At Well Theory, Our surgeon-designed products are FDA Registered and formulated to help people:
- Manage the symptoms of musculoskeletal pain
- Recover vibrantly from orthopedic related surgeries
- Fill the gaps in our daily diets
- Manage pain associated with inflammation