Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is considered one of the safest drugs in the pharmacy. But a new analysis of 19 studies suggests that this popular pain reliever may have a previously unsuspected downside. Both children and adults seem more likely to develop wheezing or asthma after exposure to acetaminophen. Pregnant women should be especially careful, since exposure in the womb increases the risk of asthma by about 30 percent. Parents may also want to consult a pediatrician before routinely giving their child acetaminophen for a fever. High doses may triple the risk of asthma. Acetaminophen remains a useful drug in treating childhood fever and pain, but it should not be taken for granted.
[Chest, Nov. 2009]
The People's Perspective on Medicine