Doctors in the United Kingdom and internationally are issuing an urgent health warning concerning the dangerous practice of combining two widely available over-the-counter medications. This alert comes amidst ongoing public discourse about medication safety, recently fuelled by unsubstantiated claims from high-profile political figures.
The Dangerous Duo: Tylenol and NyQuil
Healthcare professionals are specifically cautioning patients against taking Tylenol, a popular pain reliever, alongside NyQuil, a common cold and flu remedy. The significant risk arises because both medications contain a high amount of acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol in the UK.
Dr Brynna Connor explained to Parade magazine that many people are unintentionally "double-dosing" on this chemical. She emphasised the strict dosage limits, stating, "A maximum of 4,000 milligrams for a healthy adult, and frankly, I tell most people to stay well under 3,000 milligrams."
The consequences of exceeding this limit are severe. "Exceeding that, even for a day or two, can cause severe, irreversible liver damage," Dr Connor warned. "It’s a remarkably fast track to liver failure, and people do it all the time."
Other Risky Medication Combinations
The warnings do not stop with Tylenol and NyQuil. Medical experts also highlight the risks of mixing other common drugs. Dr Parth Bhavsar advised against combining NyQuil with Benadryl, an allergy medication.
Both of these products contain diphenhydramine, and taking them together can lead to a range of adverse effects. These include:
- Extreme drowsiness and confusion
- Slowed breathing
- An increased risk of falls
- Memory loss and dizziness
- Urinary retention
This information serves as a critical reminder for consumers to always check active ingredients on medication labels before combining any treatments.
Controversial Claims and Scientific Rebuttal
This medical guidance emerges just weeks after a controversial press conference held by Donald Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr. During the event, they made unproven allegations linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to a higher risk of autism in newborns—a claim that the wider medical community firmly rejects.
Trump notably stumbled over the word "acetaminophen" while asserting this unverified connection. However, a major new international study has since directly disputed these claims.
Researchers from institutions in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia conducted a comprehensive analysis, reviewing nine major studies on the subject. Their conclusion was clear: the existing evidence "does not show a clear link between in utero exposure to paracetamol and autism and ADHD in offspring."
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has supported these findings, stating they found "no causal relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen in pregnancy and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring."
Ultimately, while the political claims have been debunked, the immediate and proven danger of combining certain over-the-counter medications remains a pressing public health issue that doctors urge everyone to take seriously.
