Today I’m tackling a common medication that some of us have in our purse, our glove compartment, and our nightstand—Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen. It’s considered so “safe” that hospitals hand it out like candy, pediatricians recommend it for teething babies, and it’s included in hundreds of over-the-counter products—cold remedies, sleep aids, sinus medicine, and pain relievers.

But here’s the truth: just because something is common, doesn’t mean it’s safe. In fact, acetaminophen is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Yes—you heard me right. The most trusted household painkiller is also one of the most dangerous when misused.

Today, I want to break this down into six major problems: liver toxicity, gut and kidney problems, narrow safety margin, blood pressure and heart disease, Autism and ADHD, and masking problems, not curing them.

I’ll unpack and give you important alternatives that work.