Tylenol, originally a pain reliever for children, has hit middle age. The world’s best-known acetaminophen brand turns 50 on Tuesday, and it’s more popular than ever, in part because of its reputation as the safest nonprescription pain reliever. Even a fatal 1982 poisoning scare barely hurt the brand — and introduced tamperproof packaging. Already in medicine cabinets in 70 percent of U.S. households, Tylenol now is seeing sales jump amid concern over the risks of other painkillers. Sales have grown by double digits since last fall, according to Tylenol maker McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals.
