Have I missed something about tylenol?

[Blackheartednurse]

I have heard that tylenol can cause ear problems...I never thought that this was the case...I always considered aspirin to be a drug that could cause ear damage..has anyone heard that about tylenol,thanks!!

[rn/writer, RN]

Originally Posted by rn/writer

Originally Posted by

rn

/writer

Google Tylenol or acetaminophen and "hearing loss" and many links will come up.

Not sure what you mean by your comment. Can you explain, please?

I think that was their way of saying Google isn't the end all be all, and that Google can be a dangerous things in the hands of the public and / or healthcare professionals when they start self treating.

I agree with you--Google isn't the be all and end all for answers. It's the beginning of finding the questions. Like any other tool, it can be used for good or ill. But that doesn't mean you don't use it at all.

When a question like this comes up, what is a nurse to do? I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't have the PDR memorized. I can ask a pharmacist but that takes time, and I'm not even certain what exactly I want to ask. I need to define the questions based on what's already out there.

The research about Tylenol and hearing loss in men is fairly recent. I did Google it and found some interesting aspects of the subject that, if this were my inquiry, I'd want to pursue further.

As health care professionals, we have to develop some discernment. Which resources tend to be more reliable? (CDC, academic sites, those that offer legitimate citations for their info.) What kinds of sites should you be leery of? (People or groups that have an ax to grind, extremists, anyone who wants you to buy and/or sell their products, etc.) What are some of the tip-offs that the information is suspicious? (Pseudo-scientific explanations with no solid research to back up their claims, offering one or a series of products that cure everything from athlete's foot to warts, sites that are highly anecdotal with heavy contributions from lay people--etc.)

A carpenter would be seriously limited in his capabilities if he said, "Gee, this drill could do serious damage if I don't handle it properly. Think I'll leave this bad boy in my truck."

Giving up a valuable tool--internet research capability--because it can be wrongly used makes about as much sense. Better to learn to use it correctly and have a world of resources at your fingertips.

[leslie :-D]

Sigh. Why even have licensed nurses?

licensed nurses mess up, too (if i'm understanding you correctly?).

and even nurses get their info from various sources, including reliable web sites.

leslie

[SweetOldWorld, BSN, RN]

I've never heard of Tylenol causing hearing loss, but then I use Tylenol regularly.

Can you hear me now?

[wellreadrn]

Just want to be sure, since we are talking about tylenol, that you all are aware of current recall on tylenol, found to have odd odor and mold. I heard it on CNN but just wanted to alert those who might give or take it in a hurry without smelling it, especially since some of you may not have HEARD the news related to the hearing loss it may have already caused!

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

men just have selective hearing..LOL..so why just men and not women ? As far as I know that part of our anatomy isn't selective...

Your typical medical research subjects are white males between the ages of 25 and 35.

Men are classically used more often for research because of the pregnancy possibility in this same age population.