Caffeine Plus Acetaminophen Toxic To Some

February 27, 2008

Published: 09/26/07

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Very high doses of caffeine and

acetaminophen (such as Tylenol), taken together, could lead to liver damage,

researchers warn.

This combo produces a byproduct enzyme that's toxic to the organ, researchers

from the University of Washington report.

This toxic twosome can occur not only by drinking caffeine while taking

acetaminophen, the experts added, but also from large doses of painkillers that

combine caffeine and acetaminophen. These painkillers are often used to treat

migraines, menstrual discomfort and other conditions.

" Caffeine can interact with an enzyme that can form a toxic metabolite of

acetaminophen in such a way that it increases the formation of that toxic

metabolite, " said lead researcher Sid , a professor of medicinal

chemistry. " This can result in liver damage, " he said.

In the study, 's team tested the effects of acetaminophen and caffeine

on E. coli bacteria. These bacteria had been genetically engineered to mimic a

human enzyme in the liver that detoxifies many prescription and nonprescription

drugs, explained the authors in a report in the Oct. 15 issue of the journal

Chemical Research in Toxicology.

noted that it takes large qualities of caffeine to produce this

reaction.

" Normally people wouldn't be ingesting that amount of caffeine, " he said. " It

would take 10 times the amount of caffeine found in a couple of cups of coffee, "

said.

His team found that caffeine triples the amount of a toxin called

N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) produced by the enzyme as it breaks down

acetaminophen.

This same toxin is also produced during an interaction between alcohol and

acetaminophen that's also well known to damage the liver.

In prior studies, 's team had found that high doses of caffeine boosted

liver damage in rats that had already suffered acetaminophen-linked liver

damage.

The bacteria used in the study were exposed to doses of acetaminophen and

caffeine far higher than most people would be exposed to, noted. It's not

clear at what point such a mixture becomes toxic, he said.

Some people may be more vulnerable to this toxic interaction than others,

said. They might include people who take certain antiepileptic

medications, such as carbamazepine and phenobarbital, and people who use the

alternative remedy St. 's Wort.

These drugs increase levels of the enzyme that produces NAPQI and may produce

even more when mixed with acetaminophen and caffeine together,

speculated.

In addition, because alcohol can boost NAPQI production, people who drink a

lot may be at increased risk for this toxic interaction, the researcher said.

The risk is also increased for people who take drugs that combine acetaminophen

and caffeine, used to treat migraines, arthritis and other conditions.

Still, for most people, there's no reason to panic, since the chances of

caffeine and acetaminophen becoming a toxic mixture remains small, said.

" Almost all people don't need to worry about taking caffeine with

acetaminophen, " said. Exceptions might be, " those [people] taking high

does of caffeine, high doses of acetaminophen, who are possibly alcoholic and/or

are epileptic and take certain anticonvulsive drugs, " he said.

More information

For more on acetaminophen, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Last reviewed: 09/26/2007 | Last updated: 09/26/2007

Quote of the Day

" Don't let other people tell you what you want. "

– Pat Riley

Quote of the Day

" Don't let other people tell you what you want. "

– Pat Riley

February 27, 2008

>

> Caffeine Plus Acetaminophen Toxic To Some

> Published: 09/26/07

> Well, if all the things they say can be toxic if taken together,

I should have been dead years ago! People are always amazed that I

was always chewing the orange flavored baby asprin as a child ---

head aches, you name it, I got the little orange pills. Then there

were the many drugs that I have been on as an adult --- docs said you

can take up to 24 asprin a day for the pain you are in --- now, those

period back then never lasted that long and I know I did not take

that many. But while I was a patient at a family practice clinic

attached to a teaching hospital, every new drug that came out, they

decided to see if it would work!

Now, I do have to say, that I thought the massage therapist was not

going very deep today when I saw her; turned out all of the screaming

I wanted to do last week must have have had positive results!! And

last night I did something that I had not done in a long time, and

that was go upstairs, take my nightly meds and I was a sleep shortly

after going to bed. Did the same thing tonight, just have to see if

it will work again!!

Hope everyone will get some rest and that those of you in difficult

situation, can find a safe way out of them!!

God Bless you all,

>

> Quote of the Day

> " Don't let other people tell you what you want. "

> – Pat Riley

>

February 28, 2008

that is an amazing story about the baby asperin. My dad just tod me that I

needed to take 1 a day. i wish you well

Re: Caffeine Plus Acetaminophen Toxic To Some