OTC Tylenol Dosage Lowered to Prevent Liver Damage

Posted by Cathy on

If you use Tylenol for PMS Relief , menstrual cramps, backaches. headaches or any other pain you need to know why Tylenol maker Johnson & Johnson such lowered the maximum recommended dosage.   You should rethink why how much you use and how often. 

Just because Tylenol is over-the-counter does not necessarily mean it’s safe.

In an effort to reduce the risk of liver damage resulting from overuse of acetaminophen — the active ingredient in Tylenol — the drug maker’s McNeil division will soon cap the product’s daily dose recommendation at 3,000 milligrams (a total of six 500-milligram pills a day) instead of the current 4,000 (eight pills a day).

 

Some experts say they also worry about overuse of other medications that consumers can purchase off pharmacy shelves without a prescription, such as the pain reliever ibuprofen, Theraflu for colds, and the antihistamine Benadryl.

“It’s important for the public to realize all drugs have side effects. It doesn’t matter if they’re prescription, over-the-counter, herbals or nutritional supplements. If they have active ingredients, they have side effects and can interfere with normal body functions,” says Brian Strom, director of the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

He says Tylenol is an “extraordinarily” safe drug at proper doses, even though its overuse is a leading cause for liver transplants in patients with acute liver failure. But, he says, “It has a narrow therapeutic ratio. The toxic dose and the therapeutic dose are very close.”

Commonly used over-the-counter medications may carry risks, say experts.

Acetaminophen (Extra Strength Tylenol). For headaches, joint and muscle pain, fever.
Overuse risks: Liver damage or failure. May cause liver problems at lower doses in alcohol users, or in those who take other drugs containing acetaminophen.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Reduces pain and swelling related to arthritis. Relieves headache, fever, menstrual cramps.
Overuse risks: Gastrointestinal pain, bleeding. Kidney damage.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), antihistamine used to prevent, reduce hayfever and other allergy symptoms.
Overuse risks: Memory loss and disorientation, especially in elderly. Drowsiness, dryness.

Loratadine (Claritin), antihistimine used to relieve hayfever, other allergy symptoms.
Overuse risks: Sleepiness, fast heart rate. May lose effectiveness over time. Claritin-D includes an additional active ingredient, pseudoephedrine sulfate, which may cause insomnia or restlessness. Pseudoephedrine should not to be taken with certain medications for Parkinsons, depression, psychiatric or other emotional conditions.

Dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant, and Doxylamine succinate, an antihistamine (NyQuil Cough).
Overuse risks: Can cause drowsiness, especially when mixed with sleeping medications and alcohol. Not to be taken with certain medications for Parkinsons, depression, psychiatric or other emotional conditions.

Ranitidine (Zantac), an acid reducer, treats ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Overuse risks: May lose effectiveness over time. Long-term acid suppressor use could lead to poor absorption of some forms of calcium.

For menstrual cramps and period pain try our PMS Relief Herb Pack.  We guarantee pain relief in 30 minutes or less.  It’s also great for the irritability and moodiness that often accompany your monthly menstrual cycle.

Sources: Brian Strom, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; Winston Parris, Duke University Medical Center; Lisa McDevitt, Tufts Medical Center; Sarah Anderson, University of Colorado School of Pharmacy; Ausim Azizi, Temple University School of Medicine.

 

 

 

For more information on OTC pain killers see my Huff post article:  Pain Relief without Pain Killers

Six Healthy Foods to Help Fight PMS

Posted by Cathy on

PMS and Menstrual cramps helped with diet and Chinese Herbs

 

You're PMS'ing and what you're craving cupcakes, salty potato chips and CHOCOLATE!!!   Mood swings caused by hormonal changes, especially the drop in progesterone just before your menstrual cycle/period, definitely cause those food binge cravings.  So what's a girl to do??

If you give in to the cravings, your mood plummets further, often from the calorie intake realization and  the sugar that let's you down with a crash.  Bloating is another common problem and the junk food and salty snacks only make that situation worse.

So here's a couple healthy suggestions of foods to help fill you up while at the same time have the extra perk of helping resolve PMS.  At the very least, eat these foods before any junk food.  Don't wait until you have the cravings, feed your body before the cravings get out of control.   (One note, there are lots of healthy dark chocolates available today. Splurge on quality chocolate and eat it in moderation, this will be a benefit in the long run.)

Here's six great foods you must keep on hand at all times, PMS or no PMS.

1.  Garbanzo beans,  I love them pureed into hummus.  You can also easily spice them up with a little garlic, paprika, salt, pepper and dill and melt jarlsberg cheese over them.  Makes a  great snack.   Garbanzo's are high in magnesium, which can reduce bloating and water retention,  Vitamin B6 which has been know to reduce irritability and manganese may help mood swings.  Eat them hot or cold in a salad, either way they are delicious.  

2. Comblex Carb's are your best friend when you're dealing with PMS symptoms. I'm talking, brown rice, oatmeal, beans and whole grain pasta.   Whole grains contains the three nutrients mentioned above, magnesium, vitamin B6, and manganese.   The right balance of these nutrients can help depression,  irritability and as an added bonus they carry few calories for those girls watching their weight. 

3.  Fish  – Fish is high in both omega 3's and 6 fatty acids.   Small fish will have the least amount of pollutants so check out mackerel, sardines and herring.  Ok, it may not be what you were craving but think outside the box.  You're body will love you because it's high in oils, (good for skin and hair) and fish is  also a great source of Vitamin D.  Studies suggest a diet rich in vitamin D may reduce the risk of PMS by about 40 percent.

4.  Nuts –  Nuts are fast and easy and the natural oils help your body make the "feel good" neurotransmitters that impact mood.  Throw  nuts into any meal and they spice up just about everything.  Walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, cashews, pine nuts are some of my favorites.

5.  Sweet potatoes and/or yams –  I consider yams a goddess food for all age women. High in vitamin and minerals, yams are really the perfect food.  Baking a yam is so simple, just wash it and place in oven at 350 degree's for about 45 minutes and your done.  For a faster version, slice the yam into rounds with the skin on, place on a cooking sheet with a little olive oil and thyme and their done in a quick 15 minutes.  (melt blue cheese or feta on top for a yummy treat.)

6.  Water  – Drink lots of water.  Often we think we're hungry when really we are just thirsty.  Staying completely hydrated helps bloating and of course fills you up so you won't want to binge on those junk foods.  You can drink  your water as tea, hot or cold.  Add lemon or sweeteners if you need too. If you need more than just foods for your PMS try our PMS Relief tea. It's all herbs, tastes great and is guaranteed to work fast.  You can drink it as a tea right when your period arrives or use a packet in the middle of the month at ovulation to help you deal with mood swings.  The added benefit is the herbs in PMS Relief also help regulate your cycle.  You'll be pain free, PMS free, and bloating will never bother you again.

 

Believe It or Not, Prozac for PMS

Posted by Cathy on

PMS, PMDD, best herbal remedies for menstrual crampsAt first I thought it was a joke, but it's for real.  Prozac is now being touted as the latest greatest thing for PMS and PMDD.  This is the drug used for treatment of depression or obsessive-compulsive behavior.  You know, the happy pill. Sadly,  I've seen lots of people who are not happy, who take this pill.

Straight from Wikipedia (and a few other sources) re-labeling drugs is becoming a common occurrence when a prescription drug  patent is about to expire. The  manufacturer suddenly finds "new uses" for it to stem the post-patent sales decrease.    Eli Lilly's re-branding of Prozac is the latest drug to suddenly find new uses.  This time the "research" (hmm, some research at the University of Birmingham, but couldn't find anything published) says it works for the treatment of PMDD, otherwise known as  Pre-Menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This is a dramatic form of Premenstrual syndrome.

Not to worry though, because if Prozac helps your PMDD or your PMS you only have, well minimal side-effects.  Here's the short list. 

 
In clinical studies, the most common side effects Prozac included:
  • Insomnia –– in up to 33 percent  of people    (Great I'm dead tired from not sleeping but I'm not anxious. But I do need another drug to help me sleep, what do you recommend?)
  • Nausea — up to 29 percent
  • Weakness — up to 21 percent
  • Headache — up to 21 percent
  • Diarrhea  — up to 18 percent
  • Loss of appetite — up to 17 percent 
  • Drowsiness — up to 17 percent
  • Anxiety— up to 15 percent               (what, I thought it treats anxiety, You mean I could have a 15% chance of having more anxiety?  What's up with that?)
  • Nervousness — up to 14 percent
  • Shakiness (tremor) — up to 13 percent
  • Dry mouth — up to 12 percent 
  • Decreased sex drive — up to 11 percent 
  • Yawning — up to 11 percent
  • Indigestion — up to 10 percent
  • Dizziness — up to 9 percent
  • Sweating — up to 8 percent
  • Impotence- up to 7 percent 
  • Ejaculation problems — up to 7 percent  (probably doesn't apply to females, unless…   does this include failure to orgasm?)
Other common Prozac side effects (that occurred in at least 1 percent of people) include:
 
  • Flushing (redness of the skin, especially the face)
  • Abnormal dreams
  • Constipation
  • Gas
  • Vomiting
  • Fever or chills
  • Weight loss
  • Vision changes
  • Chest pain
  • High blood pressure/hypertension
  • Increased appetite and weight gain
  • Taste changes
  • Menstrual Problems  (What???  Wait a minute …. I thought you said it's for my menstrual problems??)

Lastly, let's not forget that Prozac, like all anti-depressant drugs, carry the "black box warning"  on the label.  That's the little caveat that says if you commit suicide it's not our fault because we  are telling you this drug may give you suicidal thoughts.   

If you need something for PMS or menstrual cramps and pain, we have a better answer.  You don't have to suffer and you don't have to take a drug with side-effects.  Check out all your options.  Feeling good again can happen, check out a natural alternative used for generations.  We've got it here.

 

Wikipedia  says:    Eli Lilly's patent on Prozac (fluoxetine) expired in the United States in August 2001, prompting an influx of generic drugs onto the market. Prozac was rebranded "Sarafem" for the treatment of PMDD in an attempt to stem the post-patent decrease in Eli Lilly's sales of fluoxetine.