A new meta-analysis review has concluded that acetaminophen is not
effective for lower back pain or osteoarthritis, Medical News Today reported. BraveheartNaija
The study, published in The British Medical Journal, looked at
evidence from 13 randomized controlled trials. Acetaminophen, the drug found in
Tylenol, was ineffective against lower back pain and offered only “minimal
short-term benefit” for individuals with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.
Study authors suggest changes to guidelines that suggest
acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, as a first analgesic option.
"Worldwide, paracetamol is the most widely used
over-the-counter medicine for musculoskeletal conditions, so it is important to
reconsider treatment recommendations given this new evidence,” lead author
Gustavo Machado of The George Institute for Global Health in the UK and the
University of Sydney in
Australia, said in a news release.
According to an accompanying editorial, the study’s findings are
not surprising and urges physical treatments, including exercise, as the way
forward for managing these common, painful and highly disabling conditions.
A July 2014 study published in The Lancet, found that
acetaminophen worked no better than a dummy pill at reducing lower-back pain in
some people.
Researchers noted that, while use of acetaminophen for low back pain
and osteoarthritis was associated with higher risk of liver toxicity, the
clinical relevance of this risk remains uncertain.
Acetaminophen has been linked with other safety issues, including
increasing incidence of mortality, increased risk of cardiovascular,
gastrointestinal and renal disease, Medical News Today reported. BraveheartNaija
When used in combination with an opioid painkiller, the maximum
dose of acetaminophen is restricted to 325 mg
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