Does Tylenol (acetaminophen) cause cancer? Well, California regulators think so!
California drug regulatory bodies are considering declaring acetaminophen and other common painkillers as a carcinogen.
Hover, studies have not found any strong connection between common painkillers and cancer, while some have produced mixed results.
California’s Proposition 65 law requires the state to warn people of any carcinogens or reproductive toxicity. The law was passed in 1986 and since then, over 900 chemicals have been added to the state’s list, which is the largest in the United States.
So, does acetaminophen, a drug that has been used by millions across the nation for decades, actually cause cancer? Well, the evidence is unclear.
California drug regulators have looked at more than 130 studies that were published in peer-reviewed journals, as per The Associated Press.
The regulators found some studies that suggest that acetaminophen increased the risk of certain cancers, including blood, kidney, and bladder cancers, while other studies did not find such a link.
However, they struggled to isolate acetaminophen from other variables that can cause cancer. In addition, the “International Agency for Research on Cancer has twice declined to declare acetaminophen a possible carcinogen,” according to The Associated Press.
Acetaminophen is one of the most common drugs prescribed for fevers and mild to moderate pain since the 1950s. It is available over-the-counter and in a variety of combinations. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has included the drug on its list of basic essential medications.
A panel of scientists at California’s Carcinogen Identification Committee will determine whether the state declares acetaminophen a carcinogen after public comments close on January 27. If the drug is added to the list, the regulators would require OTC or prescription medications containing acetaminophen to carry warning labels.
