Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksHow Long It LastsUsesLiver DamageDrug InteractionsAlternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
How Long It Lasts
Uses
Liver Damage
Drug Interactions
Alternatives
Tylenol (acetaminophen) works differently than other over-the-counter pain relievers, making it more effective for lowering a fever while easing mild to moderate aches and pains. However, it doesn’t reduce inflammation.
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How Does Tylenol Work?
How Tylenol works is the key to its ability to reduce fevers and effectively ease pain.
The way acetaminophen works is different than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are popular for decreasing pain and inflammation. NSAIDs, such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), inhibit or block a specific compound calledcyclooxygenase (COX).
COX compounds are responsible for the formation of hormone-like substances,prostaglandins, that cause inflammation. As a result, NSAIDs reduce inflammation and Tylenol doesn’t.
How Long Does Tylenol Last?
What Is Tylenol Used For?
Tylenol has a broad spectrum of uses for pain; however, it is used differently depending on your age group.
For example, Tylenol can help reduce symptoms related to the following health conditions and illnesses in adults:
Common pain management conditions that Tylenol can treat in children include:
Does Tylenol Affect the Liver?
Your risk of liver damage while taking Tylenol also increases if you:
Always speak with your healthcare provider or a pharmacist about what products are OK to take with your Tylenol, as many other medications contain acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen is present in many combination cough-and-cold medications or even in some more potent pain medications oropioid-combination medications. For example,Tylenol #3is a prescription medication containing acetaminophen and codeine.
Are There Any Drugs I Shouldn’t Take With Tylenol?
Most drugs are relatively safe to take with acetaminophen. However, some should be avoided. These include:
When taken at the same time, these drugs can interfere with Tylenol and cause a toxic buildup of acetaminophen in the body.
Always speak to your healthcare provider about what medications you use while also taking acetaminophen.
Alternatives to Tylenol
If you cannot take Tylenol, alternative options are available to help manage your pain.
NSAIDs
Examples of commonly used NSAIDs include:
Opioids
Opioids can be prescribed for severe pain that alternative pain medications cannot treat. They are considered addictive and have more potential for abuse than other pain medications. If you’ve been prescribed opioids, talk with your healthcare provider about how to safely and properly take them.
Commonly prescribed opioids include:
Summary
When taking Tylenol, it’s crucial to follow the dosage instructions carefully. Exceeding the maximum recommended amount causes liver damage and, in large doses, can be deadly.
The author would like to recognize and thank Jaycob Mathew Peña for contributing to this article.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Jóźwiak-Bebenista M, Nowak JZ.Paracetamol: mechanism of action, applications and safety concern.Acta Pol Pharm. 2014;71(1):11-23.OrthoInfo.What are NSAIDs?DailyMed.Label: Tylenol Regular Strength- acetaminophen tablet, film coated.Tylenol for Healthcare Professionals.Dosage information for infants, children, and adults.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen dosing for children.DailyMed.Label: acetaminophen and codeine tablet.Food and Drug Administration.Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) label.Food and Drug Administration.Isoniazid label.Food and Drug Administration.Metopirone (metyrapone) label.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Jóźwiak-Bebenista M, Nowak JZ.Paracetamol: mechanism of action, applications and safety concern.Acta Pol Pharm. 2014;71(1):11-23.OrthoInfo.What are NSAIDs?DailyMed.Label: Tylenol Regular Strength- acetaminophen tablet, film coated.Tylenol for Healthcare Professionals.Dosage information for infants, children, and adults.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen dosing for children.DailyMed.Label: acetaminophen and codeine tablet.Food and Drug Administration.Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) label.Food and Drug Administration.Isoniazid label.Food and Drug Administration.Metopirone (metyrapone) label.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Jóźwiak-Bebenista M, Nowak JZ.Paracetamol: mechanism of action, applications and safety concern.Acta Pol Pharm. 2014;71(1):11-23.OrthoInfo.What are NSAIDs?DailyMed.Label: Tylenol Regular Strength- acetaminophen tablet, film coated.Tylenol for Healthcare Professionals.Dosage information for infants, children, and adults.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen dosing for children.DailyMed.Label: acetaminophen and codeine tablet.Food and Drug Administration.Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) label.Food and Drug Administration.Isoniazid label.Food and Drug Administration.Metopirone (metyrapone) label.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.
Jóźwiak-Bebenista M, Nowak JZ.Paracetamol: mechanism of action, applications and safety concern.Acta Pol Pharm. 2014;71(1):11-23.
OrthoInfo.What are NSAIDs?
DailyMed.Label: Tylenol Regular Strength- acetaminophen tablet, film coated.
Tylenol for Healthcare Professionals.Dosage information for infants, children, and adults.
MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.
MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen dosing for children.
DailyMed.Label: acetaminophen and codeine tablet.
Food and Drug Administration.Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Isoniazid label.
Food and Drug Administration.Metopirone (metyrapone) label.
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