There’s a familiar bottle sitting in countless American medicine cabinets. It claims to soothe aches, help you fall asleep, and take the edge off long, restless nights. Its name is Tylenol PM. But according to one healthcare professional, those little blue pills deserve a second thought—especially when they’re used night after night.
Dr. Ethan Melillo, a pharmacist based in Rhode Island, doesn’t hold back. He’s openly said that Tylenol PM is one of the medications he strongly dislikes—an unusually blunt stance in medicine. His concern isn’t that the drug doesn’t work. It’s that people often misunderstand it, assuming it’s harmless simply because it’s familiar and sold over the counter.
Acetaminophen, which reduces pain and fever
Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that causes drowsiness
On the surface, it sounds convenient—relief from pain and help with sleep in one dose. But Dr. Melillo cautions that this convenience may hide real risks, particularly with frequent or long-term use.
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