alcohol and NSAID's

  I reciently heard that taking NSAID's, such as
  Tylinol, asprin, advil, etc. within a 24 hour period of drinking
  alcohol was extremely bad for your liver.  Is this true?  Also
  (unrelated) why is MSG so taboo?  Is it a carcinogen?  Thank you
  Answering my questions, they will benefit my entire family.  
Dear bwilcox,
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not an NSAID. In high doses (about 4 grams) it can cause severe hepatocellular injury and necrosis. It is commonly used in patients who try to commit suicide by overdosing on medications. It has also been shown that in chronic alcohol abusers, the dose needed to cause severe liver injury is much lower, even in the recommended dosage range. The reason for this is because acetaminophen, if taken in high enough doses, is metabolized in the liver resulting in toxic intermediates. If these toxic substances are not detoxified by an enzyme called glutathione, they accumulate in the liver causing severe damage to liver cells. Alcohol depletes the liver of glutathione thus increasing the presence of toxic intermediates and the potential for hepatocellular damage.
Aspirin is also a well documented cause of a dose-related, reversible form of hepatotoxicity, however, the mechanism is not well understood.
Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer. It is derived from a type of seaweed. It works on peripheral nerves to enhance taste receptors.. It can also have effects on other peripheral nerves as well. Monosodium glutamate is considered safe by the Food and Drug Administration. However, in high doses it can cause what has been termed the Chinese restaurant syndrome. The prevalence of susceptibility in adults in the US population is estimated at about 30%; children may be more susceptible. Symptoms, beginning within an hour or less of the ingestion of food laced with monosodium glutamate, include headache, lightheadedness, a burning sensation about the head and neck, chest tightness, nausea and sweating. Symptoms usually subside spontaneously within an hour or so. High doses of monosodium glutamate can bring on an exacerbation of asthma in patients with a known history of asthma. Unfortunately, the amount of monosodium glutamate contained in packaged foods is not always labeled clearly. I hope you find this information helpful.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
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