Comments on: Muscle Building Pills – Ibuprofen & Acetaminophen?

By: PATRICK

PATRICK — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:31:14 +0000

HI im thinking of trying this Ibuprofen test, i used to train regular, until i was in a car crash, i suffered back neck injuries, as a result i find it hard putting in a good session in the gym, my body mass is now fat and im feeling pretty low about it, i understand if the pan killers work i could be doing myself more damage as im not feeling the pain, but i cant do crunches or sit ups as it strains my neck, plus my pecks are now moobs, ill try anything,,,,,,,, any advice people,

By: A toxicologist

A toxicologist — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:28:40 +0000

There is serious danger in chronic use of acetaminophen (aka paracetamol, Tylenol, etc.). APAP overdose is actually the number one cause of acute liver failure in the US and UK, most likely because people walk around popping pills from their purse or pocket and rarely think about the total dosage taken. Further, combination of APAP and alcohol, APAP and caffeine, or APAP and other drugs can be especially lethal.

An additional note, for those interested, is that endurance exercise may help to protect against APAP toxicity. Endurance exercise (i.e. distance running) appears to improve synthesis of the body’s major anti-oxidative compound, leading to increased protection against APAP metabolite oxidation of proteins and nucleic acids.

By: javacody

javacody — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:47:12 +0000

“A 2002 study by the same doctor using generally fit male subjects in their mid to late-20s found that ibuprofen and acetaminophen inhibited muscle synthesis.”

Tanzaniki, if you do a little more reading, you’ll notice the study you mentioned was a 16 day study and this newer study, I believe was a 3 month study. It may take some time for the supercompensation to start. Of course, it may only impact the elderly as well. Who knows?

Yes, I am a geezer. I’m 35 years old. Better to be a geezer than a total wanker.

“Btw, I got here by looking for a way to handle a headache that will not stunt muscle growth. If anyone has any suggestions, I’d be very thankful.”

They didn’t mention asprin. It may be ok.

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:14:13 +0000

I agree with Rich and Stephen. The analgesic properties most probably played a role enabling them to work harder and be more active between sessions.

Ibuprofen also has anti-inflammatory properties so this also would reduce soreness in the joints and muscles.

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:28:05 +0000

Hi Chris. You can’t ‘cut’ your muscles by lifting weights. If you want more definition you have to do this with diet and cardio.
See https://www.TotalSixPackAbs.com
Mark

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:32:49 +0000

Mark, I love you’re 5 day workout plan…I’ve been doing it for about 2 weeks now and my body feels great. I have a question tho..How do I “cut” my muscles? For example, my biceps are getting much larger, but I don’t see much more definition..what do I need to do?

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:08:27 +0000

There could be a mitigating factor here. For example, elderly people are know to have higher levels of aches and pains. People on painkillers (i.e. with less pain) may be more active between sessions, which may have helped muscle growth. I look forward to more research to explain the divergent findings.

Btw, I got here by looking for a way to handle a headache that will not stunt muscle growth. If anyone has any suggestions, I’d be very thankful.

By: Rich

Rich — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:21:38 +0000

Maybe those on the painkillers weren’t as sore so they worked harder.

By: Tanizaki

Tanizaki — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 03:31:12 +0000

A 2002 study by the same doctor using generally fit male subjects in their mid to late-20s found that ibuprofen and acetaminophen inhibited muscle synthesis.

https://ajpendo.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/282/3/E551

The title of the 2008 article is “Ibuprofen and acetaminophen promote muscle hypertrophy and strength gains during resistance exercise *in* *the* *elderly*” (emphasis added)

Maybe javacody is a geezer?

By: Greg Landry

Greg Landry — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:15:57 +0000

Hmmm. Personally, I think by the time I stop seeing gains from natural lifting I will be happy with the shape I’m in. I’m not even close to showing signs of slowed growth yet and I’m starting to like what I see in the mirror more than before. But I guess some people do hit a plateau and are desperate to keep growing. I don’t believe in putting pills in my body unless I’m actually sick. Just my opinion.
Greg

By: javacody

javacody — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:45:59 +0000

Anecdotal? Never heard of it. Can you sound it out for me slowly? And evidence, what is that?

You are very skilled at condescension my friend, but perhaps not so skilled as me.

🙂

By: Zenlc

Zenlc — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:39:03 +0000

@javacody *may* work better. May not. My whole point was that since no research has been done with trained individuals, we don’t really know anything, and testing on oneself is hardly scientific proof – that is called “anecdotal evidence.” Compelling, perhaps, but not scientific.

By: javacody

javacody — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:11:54 +0000

Doh! Should be “body will” not “body with”.

By: javacody

javacody — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:08:24 +0000

Dave and Zenic, exactly. They don’t build muscle as easily as young folks. Something you both seem to not have considered is that because of this, using either one of these drugs may actually work BETTER in young people.

Think about it. If an old person’s body supercompensates this way, maybe a younger person’s body with superdupercompensate. 🙂

At any rate, I look forward to reading more about this. It is a fascinating subject.

By: Zenlc

Zenlc — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:37:20 +0000

One thing that always bothers me about these studies is they take untrained individuals. Problem is untrained people have a propensity for adding muscle mass. Trained individuals have gone through this “freshman” phase of adaptation by the body.

One mitigating factor here is they used elderly subjects who don’t build muscle mass as easily as younger subjects.

By: dave

dave — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:56:57 +0000

This is a very small number of people in this study (36), and the fact that the average age is 65 is significant as well. Im not really sure how this will hold up in a larger study with younger participants.

By: javacody

javacody — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:56:42 +0000

Yep, I’m more leery of kidney damage and ibuprofin. Milk Thistle has been proven effective in liver damage, even against poisonous mushrooms that would normally cause total liver failure, so I feel ok about the risk with Tylenol. It is still a risk, though. I’ve heard of liver failure from just a single dose (in rare cases).

By: Helfrick

Helfrick — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:42:14 +0000

Be careful about dosages and long term effects. There is a possibility of kidney and or liver damage.

By: javacody

javacody — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:39:15 +0000

Yep, I read about this on the Men’s Health website a few months back. I take Acetaminophen 3 times per day every day along with Milk Thistle (liver insurance). I think it is working. I’ve been doing it for two months and my arms and traps are noticably bigger.

Think about this for a laugh (or not):
Taking tylenol and working out in your mind may be more effective in combination than lifting weights alone! Pretty crazy, huh? Wonder what happens when you do all three?