Can you take tylenol for a hangover?

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been up all night playing Jenga with your liver and losing miserably. Congratulations! You have a hangover! Some people swear by drinking their body weight in Gatorade, others prefer the hair of the dog that bit them – but what about Tylenol? Is it safe to take when you’re feeling like death warmed over?

What is a Hangover?

Before we answer that question (spoiler alert: yes, you can take Tylenol for a hangover), let’s dive into what exactly is going on inside your poor suffering body. When you drink alcohol – whether it be one measly martini or an entire keg stand competition – your liver breaks down ethanol into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is then broken down further into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water. Here’s where things get tricky: acetaldehyde is way more toxic than alcohol itself (which really makes me wonder why anyone thought drinking was ever a good idea).

Symptoms

So after imbibing enough booze to make Frank Gallagher proud (Shameless reference for those who don’t know), here are some lovely symptoms of having too much fun:

  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Fatigue
  • Thirst
  • Shakiness

And last but not least…

The Dreaded Hangxiety

Ah yes, nothing quite like waking up from a bender regretting every life choice that led up to ordering that last round at 2am. That deep sense of anxiety known affectionately as “hangxiety” has ruined many mornings-after.

Thankfully there may be some solace in knowing that taking Tylenol could alleviate these unpleasant feelings!

But First…What is Tylenol?

For those of you who have been living under a rock (or just happen to be lactose intolerant and can’t swallow pills), Tylenol is the brand name for acetaminophen. It’s a pain reliever and fever reducer, and is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter medications in America.

How Does it Work?

In short – we don’t really know! (I swear I’m not making this up) Scientists believe that acetaminophen reduces fever by acting on an area of the brain known as the hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature. Its ability to alleviate pain is still somewhat of a mystery!

Is it Safe to Take Tylenol for Hangover Symptoms?

Yes! But also no…but mostly yes (Sorry). Here are some things to consider before popping that pill:

Check Your Dosing

First things first – always read the label carefully when taking ANY medication because overdosing can leadto lasting damage or even death (yikes!). For adults, 4000 milligrams per day is typically considered safe (keep this number handy!), but remember: more does not equal better.

Kidneys Are Key

Here’s an alarming factoid: taking high doses of Tylenol has been linked with kidney damage (gross, amirite?). The risk increases if you already have poor kidney function or if you’re dehydrated from all those sugary cocktails (inserts side eye).

So what does this mean? Well folks, moderation is key here. Taking reasonable doses won’t do any harm.The American College of Gastroenterology however notedthat people drinking heavily should avoid using acetaminophen due in large part to concernabout liver toxicity and thus stress inflicted unto their organs.

Also worth noting- chronic drinkers have lower levels of glutathione- your body’s main antioxidant responsible for protecting major organs from oxidative stress that increases due to ethanol.

Heed the Warnings

Acetaminophen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. Aspirin and ibuprofen are other common examples of NSAIDs. One important thing to keep in mind before reaching for acetaminophen – it’s not typically prescribed for those with liver disease or who have consumed large quantities of alcohol.

This doesn’t mean we sound the alarms like fire drill because, based on recent scientific discoveries,the relationship between nutritionand health has been established.Therefore people should incorporate balanced diets if their aim is to self medicate using OTC medications.

People consuming tylenol directly after drinking heavily could have significantly reduced levels of antioxidants as seen by drastic drops in GSH hence consumption must be carried out smartly-you dont want your hangover cure making you worse off than when you started!

But Wait! There’s More!

Here are some additional fun facts about Tylenol:

  • It was first discovered in Germany (cue all my fellow German-philes)
  • Acetaminophen is actually one of the least harmful pain relievers available (inserts surprised Pikachu face)
  • Overdosing on acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage and even death (DO NOT DO IT)

Final Verdict…

All things considered,Tylenol could beuseful in treating hangover symptoms.You just need exercise caution.Rest, water hydration and reduction/eliminationof alcohol involvement remains keyas prevention is better than searchingfor cures when sht hits the fan(Uhuh!)

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