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Table of Contents
When You Can Drink Alcohol After Taking Tylenol
Is Having a Drink While Taking Tylenol Ok?
Who Is More at Risk?
How Do Tylenol and Alcohol Interact?
Can You Take Tylenol for a Hangover?
How Long Does Tylenol Last in the Body?
Other Medications With Tylenol
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is the most common over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication.It’s available alone and as an ingredient in many combination products.
At normal doses, Tylenol is safe for most people.However, at high doses and with prolonged use, it can seriously damage the liver and is a leading cause of acute (sudden) liver failure.
Heavy drinking is also associated with liver damage, including hepatitis, liver scarring, and cancer.Studies estimate that close to 90% of adults in the United States drink alcohol at some point in their lives, sometimes with the intent of relieving pain.
With this in mind, you might need to consider how long after taking Tylenol can you drink alcohol when consuming both.
Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images
There’s no clear verdict on exactly how long after taking Tylenol can you drink alcohol.
According to guidelines from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you shouldn’t drink alcohol if you take Tylenol.
But there are some nuances to keep in mind if you’re deciding whether or not to drink.
OTC Tylenol labels specify that liver damage may occur if an adult takes Tylenol with three or more alcoholic drinks.
One drink is defined as any of the following:
If you regularly drink three alcoholic beverages or more per day, talk with your healthcare provider about which pain medication is best for you.
If you drink less than three drinks a day, your risk of liver damage is likely lower. However, the exact amounts of alcohol or Tylenol that can harm the liver aren’t clear.
In other words, no amount of either Tylenol or alcohol is completely safe for your liver.
Who Is More at Risk When Combining Tylenol and Alcohol?
People in the following groups are at higher risk when combining Tylenol and alcohol:
How Many Drinks Means Heavy Drinking?Heavy drinking for males is defined as having five or more alcoholic drinks on any one day or 15 or more in a week.For females, it’s consuming four or more alcoholic drinks on any day or eight or more in one week.Heavy drinking also includes binge drinking on five or more days within the past month. Binge drinking is five alcoholic drinks or more for males or four or more for females in about two hours.
How Many Drinks Means Heavy Drinking?
Heavy drinking for males is defined as having five or more alcoholic drinks on any one day or 15 or more in a week.For females, it’s consuming four or more alcoholic drinks on any day or eight or more in one week.Heavy drinking also includes binge drinking on five or more days within the past month. Binge drinking is five alcoholic drinks or more for males or four or more for females in about two hours.
Heavy drinking for males is defined as having five or more alcoholic drinks on any one day or 15 or more in a week.
For females, it’s consuming four or more alcoholic drinks on any day or eight or more in one week.
Heavy drinking also includes binge drinking on five or more days within the past month. Binge drinking is five alcoholic drinks or more for males or four or more for females in about two hours.
The biggest concern with taking Tylenol and alcohol together is the potential for liver damage, including liver failure.
The levels of enzyme CYP2E1 increase in people who drink large amounts of alcohol. This means that when these people take Tylenol, their CYP2E1 kicks into overdrive. It produces more NAPQI, potentially causing serious liver damage.
Ahangovercan result after drinking alcohol as your body’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) goes back to normal (zero).
Signs of a hangover include the following:
Tylenol is not recommended for a hangover because it can interact with the alcohol that’s still in the body and harm the liver.
Other common medicines for hangovers includenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)like Motrin (ibuprofen). Taking NSAIDs or aspirin after drinking is also dangerous because the combination may irritate your stomach.
Unfortunately, there are no safe or effective quick fixes for a hangover.
Time, hydration, and rest are likely to be your best bets.
You may also want to get curious about your alcohol intake and whether reducing or eliminating alcohol may benefit your health.
Tylenol typically works to relieve pain and fever for three to four hours.
At normal doses, thehalf-lifeof Tylenol is about two hours. This means 50% of your dose of Tylenol remains in your body two hours after taking it.
Interestingly, though, the half-life of Tylenol after anoverdoseincreases and can be as long as eight hours.
This means that Tylenol remains in the body much longer if you take high doses and is more likely to cause liver damage.
Even with regular doses of Tylenol, a small amount will linger in the body for up to 24 hours.
What Other Medications Have Tylenol?
You may not realize that your medication contains acetaminophen. As mentioned, acetaminophen is available alone and as an ingredient in many combination products.
These combination products include but are not limited to the following:
If you drink alcohol, it’s important to keep this in mind so you can avoid accidentally combining them.
Other popular OTC pain medicines likeaspirinand NSAIDs are also risky when taken with alcohol. Taking these medicines with even one drink a day may cause bleeding in your digestive tract.
Many prescription pain medications, includingopioids, shouldn’t be taken with alcohol due to the risk ofrespiratory depression(slow, shallow breathing) and death.
Topical options for paininclude:
Discuss pain management with your healthcare provider for guidance on which medicines may be right for you.
U.S. Alcohol GuidelinesThe U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommends sticking to one drink per day for females and two drinks per day for males.Signs of alcohol use disorder include:Drinking larger amounts of alcoholAn inability to cut down on alcohol useAlcohol cravingsContinued use of alcohol despite social or professional consequencesWithdrawal syndromeif alcohol use is stoppedIf you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
U.S. Alcohol Guidelines
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommends sticking to one drink per day for females and two drinks per day for males.Signs of alcohol use disorder include:Drinking larger amounts of alcoholAn inability to cut down on alcohol useAlcohol cravingsContinued use of alcohol despite social or professional consequencesWithdrawal syndromeif alcohol use is stoppedIf you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommends sticking to one drink per day for females and two drinks per day for males.Signs of alcohol use disorder include:
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Summary
Using Tylenol and alcohol together isn’t recommended due to the risk of liver damage. But keep in mind that the greatest risk is seen with heavy drinking and/or high doses of Tylenol.
Tylenol is not recommended for either the treatment or prevention of hangovers.
If you drink regularly, consider topical pain relievers instead of Tylenol.
Make sure you discuss options with your healthcare provider to reduce liver damage and maximize your health.
16 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 Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol-medication interactions: potentially dangerous mixes.Ndetan H, Evans MW, Tanue T, et al.Therapeutic use of acetaminophen and light to moderate alcohol: Are there early disparate risks for kidney disease?Health Equity. 2020;4(1):518-524. Published 2020 Dec 14. doi:10.1089/heq.2020.0072Ndetan H, Evans MW Jr, Singal AK, et al.Light to moderate drinking and therapeutic doses of acetaminophen: an assessment of risks for renal dysfunction.Prev Med Rep. 2018;12:253-258. Published 2018 Oct 24. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.013Mazaleuskaya LL, Sangkuhl K, Thorn CF, et al.PharmGKB summary: pathways of acetaminophen metabolism at the therapeutic versus toxic doses.Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2015;25(8):416-426. doi:10.1097/FPC.0000000000000150Liu SY, Tsai IT, Hsu YC.Alcohol-related liver disease: basic mechanisms and clinical perspectives.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(10):5170. Published 2021 May 13. doi:10.3390/ijms22105170Cucinello-Ragland JA, Edwards S.The hidden risks of alcohol use for pain relief.Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken). 2023;47(2):209-210. doi:10.1111/acer.15005Forrest JAH, Clements JA, Prescott LF.Clinical pharmacokinetics of paracetamol.Clin Pharmacokinet. 1982;7(2):93-107. doi:10.2165/00003088-198207020-00001U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: prescription acetaminophen products to be limited to 325 mg per dosage unit; boxed warning will highlight potential for severe liver failure.DailyMed.Tylenol regular strength.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The basics: defining how much alcohol is too much.Zacharia GS, Jacob A.Acetaminophen: a liver killer or thriller.Cureus. 2023;15(10):e47071. Published 2023 Oct 15. doi:10.7759/cureus.47071Ghosh A, Berger I, Remien CH, et al.The role of alcohol consumption on acetaminophen induced liver injury: Implications from a mathematical model.J Theor Biol. 2021;519:110559. doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2020.110559Amaechi O, McCann Human M, Featherstone K.Pharmacologic therapy for acute pain.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(1):63-72.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Hangovers.Yue Y, Collaku A, Liu DJ.Evaluation of a 12-hour sustained-release acetaminophen (paracetamol) formulation: a randomized, 3-way crossover pharmacokinetic and safety study in healthy volunteers.Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2018;7(1):95-101. doi:10.1002/cpdd.367Maloney J, Pew S, Wie C, et al.Comprehensive review of topical analgesics for chronic pain.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2021;25(2):7. Published 2021 Feb 3. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00923-2
16 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 Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol-medication interactions: potentially dangerous mixes.Ndetan H, Evans MW, Tanue T, et al.Therapeutic use of acetaminophen and light to moderate alcohol: Are there early disparate risks for kidney disease?Health Equity. 2020;4(1):518-524. Published 2020 Dec 14. doi:10.1089/heq.2020.0072Ndetan H, Evans MW Jr, Singal AK, et al.Light to moderate drinking and therapeutic doses of acetaminophen: an assessment of risks for renal dysfunction.Prev Med Rep. 2018;12:253-258. Published 2018 Oct 24. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.013Mazaleuskaya LL, Sangkuhl K, Thorn CF, et al.PharmGKB summary: pathways of acetaminophen metabolism at the therapeutic versus toxic doses.Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2015;25(8):416-426. doi:10.1097/FPC.0000000000000150Liu SY, Tsai IT, Hsu YC.Alcohol-related liver disease: basic mechanisms and clinical perspectives.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(10):5170. Published 2021 May 13. doi:10.3390/ijms22105170Cucinello-Ragland JA, Edwards S.The hidden risks of alcohol use for pain relief.Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken). 2023;47(2):209-210. doi:10.1111/acer.15005Forrest JAH, Clements JA, Prescott LF.Clinical pharmacokinetics of paracetamol.Clin Pharmacokinet. 1982;7(2):93-107. doi:10.2165/00003088-198207020-00001U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: prescription acetaminophen products to be limited to 325 mg per dosage unit; boxed warning will highlight potential for severe liver failure.DailyMed.Tylenol regular strength.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The basics: defining how much alcohol is too much.Zacharia GS, Jacob A.Acetaminophen: a liver killer or thriller.Cureus. 2023;15(10):e47071. Published 2023 Oct 15. doi:10.7759/cureus.47071Ghosh A, Berger I, Remien CH, et al.The role of alcohol consumption on acetaminophen induced liver injury: Implications from a mathematical model.J Theor Biol. 2021;519:110559. doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2020.110559Amaechi O, McCann Human M, Featherstone K.Pharmacologic therapy for acute pain.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(1):63-72.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Hangovers.Yue Y, Collaku A, Liu DJ.Evaluation of a 12-hour sustained-release acetaminophen (paracetamol) formulation: a randomized, 3-way crossover pharmacokinetic and safety study in healthy volunteers.Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2018;7(1):95-101. doi:10.1002/cpdd.367Maloney J, Pew S, Wie C, et al.Comprehensive review of topical analgesics for chronic pain.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2021;25(2):7. Published 2021 Feb 3. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00923-2
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 Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol-medication interactions: potentially dangerous mixes.Ndetan H, Evans MW, Tanue T, et al.Therapeutic use of acetaminophen and light to moderate alcohol: Are there early disparate risks for kidney disease?Health Equity. 2020;4(1):518-524. Published 2020 Dec 14. doi:10.1089/heq.2020.0072Ndetan H, Evans MW Jr, Singal AK, et al.Light to moderate drinking and therapeutic doses of acetaminophen: an assessment of risks for renal dysfunction.Prev Med Rep. 2018;12:253-258. Published 2018 Oct 24. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.013Mazaleuskaya LL, Sangkuhl K, Thorn CF, et al.PharmGKB summary: pathways of acetaminophen metabolism at the therapeutic versus toxic doses.Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2015;25(8):416-426. doi:10.1097/FPC.0000000000000150Liu SY, Tsai IT, Hsu YC.Alcohol-related liver disease: basic mechanisms and clinical perspectives.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(10):5170. Published 2021 May 13. doi:10.3390/ijms22105170Cucinello-Ragland JA, Edwards S.The hidden risks of alcohol use for pain relief.Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken). 2023;47(2):209-210. doi:10.1111/acer.15005Forrest JAH, Clements JA, Prescott LF.Clinical pharmacokinetics of paracetamol.Clin Pharmacokinet. 1982;7(2):93-107. doi:10.2165/00003088-198207020-00001U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: prescription acetaminophen products to be limited to 325 mg per dosage unit; boxed warning will highlight potential for severe liver failure.DailyMed.Tylenol regular strength.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The basics: defining how much alcohol is too much.Zacharia GS, Jacob A.Acetaminophen: a liver killer or thriller.Cureus. 2023;15(10):e47071. Published 2023 Oct 15. doi:10.7759/cureus.47071Ghosh A, Berger I, Remien CH, et al.The role of alcohol consumption on acetaminophen induced liver injury: Implications from a mathematical model.J Theor Biol. 2021;519:110559. doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2020.110559Amaechi O, McCann Human M, Featherstone K.Pharmacologic therapy for acute pain.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(1):63-72.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Hangovers.Yue Y, Collaku A, Liu DJ.Evaluation of a 12-hour sustained-release acetaminophen (paracetamol) formulation: a randomized, 3-way crossover pharmacokinetic and safety study in healthy volunteers.Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2018;7(1):95-101. doi:10.1002/cpdd.367Maloney J, Pew S, Wie C, et al.Comprehensive review of topical analgesics for chronic pain.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2021;25(2):7. Published 2021 Feb 3. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00923-2
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol-medication interactions: potentially dangerous mixes.
Ndetan H, Evans MW, Tanue T, et al.Therapeutic use of acetaminophen and light to moderate alcohol: Are there early disparate risks for kidney disease?Health Equity. 2020;4(1):518-524. Published 2020 Dec 14. doi:10.1089/heq.2020.0072
Ndetan H, Evans MW Jr, Singal AK, et al.Light to moderate drinking and therapeutic doses of acetaminophen: an assessment of risks for renal dysfunction.Prev Med Rep. 2018;12:253-258. Published 2018 Oct 24. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.013
Mazaleuskaya LL, Sangkuhl K, Thorn CF, et al.PharmGKB summary: pathways of acetaminophen metabolism at the therapeutic versus toxic doses.Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2015;25(8):416-426. doi:10.1097/FPC.0000000000000150
Liu SY, Tsai IT, Hsu YC.Alcohol-related liver disease: basic mechanisms and clinical perspectives.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(10):5170. Published 2021 May 13. doi:10.3390/ijms22105170
Cucinello-Ragland JA, Edwards S.The hidden risks of alcohol use for pain relief.Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken). 2023;47(2):209-210. doi:10.1111/acer.15005
Forrest JAH, Clements JA, Prescott LF.Clinical pharmacokinetics of paracetamol.Clin Pharmacokinet. 1982;7(2):93-107. doi:10.2165/00003088-198207020-00001
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: prescription acetaminophen products to be limited to 325 mg per dosage unit; boxed warning will highlight potential for severe liver failure.
DailyMed.Tylenol regular strength.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The basics: defining how much alcohol is too much.
Zacharia GS, Jacob A.Acetaminophen: a liver killer or thriller.Cureus. 2023;15(10):e47071. Published 2023 Oct 15. doi:10.7759/cureus.47071
Ghosh A, Berger I, Remien CH, et al.The role of alcohol consumption on acetaminophen induced liver injury: Implications from a mathematical model.J Theor Biol. 2021;519:110559. doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2020.110559
Amaechi O, McCann Human M, Featherstone K.Pharmacologic therapy for acute pain.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(1):63-72.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Hangovers.
Yue Y, Collaku A, Liu DJ.Evaluation of a 12-hour sustained-release acetaminophen (paracetamol) formulation: a randomized, 3-way crossover pharmacokinetic and safety study in healthy volunteers.Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2018;7(1):95-101. doi:10.1002/cpdd.367
Maloney J, Pew S, Wie C, et al.Comprehensive review of topical analgesics for chronic pain.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2021;25(2):7. Published 2021 Feb 3. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00923-2
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