Why Even “Safe” Over-the-Counter Drugs Can Be Dangerous Most people assume that if a drug is sold over the counter, it must be safe. That assumption is wrong. In reality, all drugs carry risk—including common OTC medications that are taken daily by millions of Americans with little thought. One of the clearest examples is acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol and hundreds of other prescription and over-the-counter products. The Acetaminophen–Liver Damage Connection A landmark study published in Journal of the American Medical Association examined what happens when healthy adults take the maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen. Here’s what researchers found: Participants took 4 grams per day (the FDA-approved maximum dose) Duration: 2 weeks 31–44% developed liver enzyme elevations greater than three times the upper limit of normal That level of elevation is considered a marker of significant liver injury. The enzyme measured was…