Blog Post #5--Callista Osley

Like the words acetaminophen and paracetamol, the brand name Tylenol is derived from the chemical name for the compound, N-aceTYL-para-aminophENOL (APAP). Personally, I think this way of naming the brand is pretty clever. However, if you take too much acetaminophen, which is the only active ingredient in the Tylenol I looked at, you could develop severe liver damage. You have to be very aware of the ingredients in any other medications you take, because if you take another medicine with acetaminophen in it, you could develop the liver damage the Tylenol package warns you about, or an allergic reaction, or any stomach problems (nausea, vomiting, pains, etc.), or urination issues, or fainting/light-headedness, or unusual bleeding, or yellowing of skin/eyes. Wow that felt like the rapid speech in a commercial. The package only lists liver and allergy warnings.. In the below video, Tylenol advertises being accepting of everyone and every family. This is great advertising for Tylenol especially in a time when people are widely not accepted. Tylenol is owned by Johnson&Johnson, a not so family company, after being charged with knowing they had products the caused cancer. The packaging was bright red and shiny with white writing that promoted how strong the 500 mg 225 caplets of Tylenol were. Also written in white, "pain reliever fever reducer." The directions were very clear and the ingredient was highlighted. Also, at Target, I found acetaminophen caplets. These 500 caplets were 500 mg and made by the up&up brand, is owned by Target. The packaging was also red with white writing. Written, in white, "extra strength," "pain reliever/fever reducer," "acetaminophen caplets." The only active ingredient was acetaminophen. The Drug Facts show identical Uses to the Tylenol package. The Warnings are also the exact same as the Tylenol. Differences include the "Compare to active ingredient in Extra Strength Tylenol (R) Caplets," the addition of purple writing on packaging, and a clear warning reading: "DO NOT USE WITH OTHER MEDICINES CONTAINING ACETAMINOPHEN." So, if the name brand and the store brand contain the exact same ingredients, look extremely similar in packaging, and using the same pills, why are we paying $14.95 for 225 Tylenol caplets but only $6.99 for 500 up&up caplets??My theory is we are paying for the advertising of Tylenol. I see Tylenol commercials on TV all the time. Whether its on Hulu or actually on a TV, Tylenol is there. I don't think I've ever seen an up&up commercial, and certainly can't find one on the first page of Google.