Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a non-narcotic, over-the-counter medication for the relief of minor to moderate pain, aches, headache, and fever. It can be used for pain related to injuries, is commonly used after surgery, and is effective for reducing the temperature in adults andchildren.It is also found in many over the counter combination medications, such as Tylenol PM, which combines Tylenol withBenadryl (diphenhydramine)in order to improve sleep along with reduced pain.Tylenol is also commonly found in prescription pain medications such as Percocet.
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Dosage
Tylenol is typically taken every four to six hours, and the dose varies based on age. For adults, 325-650 milligrams (mg) can be taken with each dose. The maximum recommended dose per day is 3,000–4,000 milligrams.
The maximum recommended dose is under review, current recommendations are that healthy individuals may take up to 4,000 milligrams per day. Individuals with liver disease, who drink alcohol in large or frequent quantities, and individuals with no food intake should not exceed 3,000 milligrams due to thme risk of liver damage.
Administration
Tylenol is available in multiple forms. Over the counter, the medication is available as a liquid gel capsule, and in tablet and liquid form. By prescription, the medication can be given as an IV solution or a suppository for rectal administration.
Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tylenol has been considered the safest pain reliever to use during pregnancy at recommended dosages. However, some experts have argued thatacetaminophen can affect fetal developmentand possibly increase the risk of neurological and other problems.However, research isn’t conclusive.
Many experts recommend using oral Tylenol only as needed during pregnancy, after consulting with a healthcare provider.IV Tylenol should be avoided.
Side Effects
Tylenol is known to cause liver damageand liver failure in those who take too much.The 3,000–4,000 milligram maximum daily dose is considered safe, but even at those doses liver damage can occur in individuals who have liver problems or drink alcohol excessively.
It is very important to follow the recommended dosing on the packaging. Exceeding the recommended dosage on a regular basis, or even once if the dose is large enough, can result in a life-threatening illness that may not respond to treatment.
In the most severe cases, including accidental and intentional overdoses, the liver can fail completely and only a liver transplant can save the individual’s life.
If yourpain is not controlledwith the standard dose of Tylenol, seek medical treatment for your pain rather than increasing the amount of Tylenol you take.
Warnings
Tylenol is found in many medications that are not called Tylenol or acetaminophen. For example, many cough and cold remedies contain Tylenol. Prescription pain relievers, such as Vicodin, Roxicet, and Percocet all contain Tylenol.Many over-the-counter medications, such as Dayquil, Mucinex, Robitussin, Sudafed, and Alka-Seltzerand Goody’s Powderalso contain acetaminophen in some of their formulations.
These medications should be taken carefully with acetaminophen. Whether the medication comes in a package labeled Tylenol or another brand name, the total dose of Tylenol that is acceptable on a daily basis stays the same.
Taking a full dose of a medication that contains Tylenol, along with additional Tylenol tablets can result in an overdose of Tylenol. The same is true of taking “extra” pain medication over and above the amount prescribed.
Tylenol Overdose or Poisoning
Tylenol and Fever After Surgery
Taking Tylenol after surgery can help with mild to moderate surgical pain, and can also deal with the fever commonly present in the days after a procedure.Keep in mind that Tylenol, taken regularly, can also mask thepresence of a feveror infection.For that reason, be aware of thesymptoms of infectionother than fever, and inspect your incision daily for any signs of infection.
Good handwashingand wound carecan help prevent most infections, but early diagnosis when an infection does occur can mean the difference between quick and effective treatment and a longer, more difficult recovery.
17 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.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Jenkin DE, Naylor JM, Descallar J, Harris IA. Effectiveness of oxycodone hydrochloride (Strong opioid) vs combination acetaminophen and codeine (Mild opioid) for subacute pain after fractures managed surgically: a randomized clinical trial.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(11):e2134988.Lee WM. Acetaminophen (Apap) hepatotoxicity—Isn’t it time for APAP to go away?Journal of Hepatology. 2017;67(6):1324-1331. doi: doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.07.005Krenzelok EP, Royal MA.Confusion.Drugs R D. 2012;12(2):45-48. doi: 10.2165/11633010-000000000-00000Saab S, Konyn PG, Viramontes MR, et al. Limited knowledge of acetaminophen in patients with liver disease.Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology. 2016;4(4):281-287. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2016.00049UpToDate.Common dosage forms of acetaminophen (paracetamol).Bauer AZ, Swan SH, Kriebel D, et al.Paracetamol use during pregnancy - a call for precautionary action.Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2021;17(12):757-766. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00553-7American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG responds to consensus statement on paracetamol use during pregnancy.Yoon E, Babar A, Choudhary M, Kutner M, Pyrsopoulos N. Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: a comprehensive update.Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology. 2016;4(2):131-142. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2015.00052Crone C, DiMartini A.Liver transplant for intentional acetaminophen overdose: a survey of transplant clinicians׳ experiences with recommendations.Psychosomatics. 2014;55(6):602-612. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2014.02.004The Nemours Foundation Kidshealth.org.Giving Opioid Prescription Pain Medication: What Parents Need to Know.American Liver Foundation.Common Medicines with Acetaminophen.The National Institutes of Health.Goody’s Extra Strength – acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine powder.Mamoun NF, Lin P, Zimmerman NM, et al.Intravenous acetaminophen analgesia after cardiac surgery: A randomized, blinded, controlled superiority trial.The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2016;152(3):881-889.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2016.04.078Wrotek S, LeGrand EK, Dzialuk A, Alcock J.Let fever do its job.Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. 2021;9(1):26-35. doi: 10.1093/emph/eoaa044Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clean Hands Count for Safe Healthcare.Clean vs. Sterile dressing techniques for management of chronic wounds: a fact sheet.Journal of Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing. 2012;39(2S):S30-S34. doi: 10.1097/WON.0b013e3182478e06Additional ReadingDrugs.com.Acetaminophen monograph.
17 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.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Jenkin DE, Naylor JM, Descallar J, Harris IA. Effectiveness of oxycodone hydrochloride (Strong opioid) vs combination acetaminophen and codeine (Mild opioid) for subacute pain after fractures managed surgically: a randomized clinical trial.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(11):e2134988.Lee WM. Acetaminophen (Apap) hepatotoxicity—Isn’t it time for APAP to go away?Journal of Hepatology. 2017;67(6):1324-1331. doi: doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.07.005Krenzelok EP, Royal MA.Confusion.Drugs R D. 2012;12(2):45-48. doi: 10.2165/11633010-000000000-00000Saab S, Konyn PG, Viramontes MR, et al. Limited knowledge of acetaminophen in patients with liver disease.Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology. 2016;4(4):281-287. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2016.00049UpToDate.Common dosage forms of acetaminophen (paracetamol).Bauer AZ, Swan SH, Kriebel D, et al.Paracetamol use during pregnancy - a call for precautionary action.Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2021;17(12):757-766. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00553-7American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG responds to consensus statement on paracetamol use during pregnancy.Yoon E, Babar A, Choudhary M, Kutner M, Pyrsopoulos N. Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: a comprehensive update.Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology. 2016;4(2):131-142. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2015.00052Crone C, DiMartini A.Liver transplant for intentional acetaminophen overdose: a survey of transplant clinicians׳ experiences with recommendations.Psychosomatics. 2014;55(6):602-612. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2014.02.004The Nemours Foundation Kidshealth.org.Giving Opioid Prescription Pain Medication: What Parents Need to Know.American Liver Foundation.Common Medicines with Acetaminophen.The National Institutes of Health.Goody’s Extra Strength – acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine powder.Mamoun NF, Lin P, Zimmerman NM, et al.Intravenous acetaminophen analgesia after cardiac surgery: A randomized, blinded, controlled superiority trial.The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2016;152(3):881-889.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2016.04.078Wrotek S, LeGrand EK, Dzialuk A, Alcock J.Let fever do its job.Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. 2021;9(1):26-35. doi: 10.1093/emph/eoaa044Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clean Hands Count for Safe Healthcare.Clean vs. Sterile dressing techniques for management of chronic wounds: a fact sheet.Journal of Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing. 2012;39(2S):S30-S34. doi: 10.1097/WON.0b013e3182478e06Additional ReadingDrugs.com.Acetaminophen monograph.
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.
MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Jenkin DE, Naylor JM, Descallar J, Harris IA. Effectiveness of oxycodone hydrochloride (Strong opioid) vs combination acetaminophen and codeine (Mild opioid) for subacute pain after fractures managed surgically: a randomized clinical trial.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(11):e2134988.Lee WM. Acetaminophen (Apap) hepatotoxicity—Isn’t it time for APAP to go away?Journal of Hepatology. 2017;67(6):1324-1331. doi: doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.07.005Krenzelok EP, Royal MA.Confusion.Drugs R D. 2012;12(2):45-48. doi: 10.2165/11633010-000000000-00000Saab S, Konyn PG, Viramontes MR, et al. Limited knowledge of acetaminophen in patients with liver disease.Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology. 2016;4(4):281-287. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2016.00049UpToDate.Common dosage forms of acetaminophen (paracetamol).Bauer AZ, Swan SH, Kriebel D, et al.Paracetamol use during pregnancy - a call for precautionary action.Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2021;17(12):757-766. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00553-7American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG responds to consensus statement on paracetamol use during pregnancy.Yoon E, Babar A, Choudhary M, Kutner M, Pyrsopoulos N. Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: a comprehensive update.Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology. 2016;4(2):131-142. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2015.00052Crone C, DiMartini A.Liver transplant for intentional acetaminophen overdose: a survey of transplant clinicians׳ experiences with recommendations.Psychosomatics. 2014;55(6):602-612. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2014.02.004The Nemours Foundation Kidshealth.org.Giving Opioid Prescription Pain Medication: What Parents Need to Know.American Liver Foundation.Common Medicines with Acetaminophen.The National Institutes of Health.Goody’s Extra Strength – acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine powder.Mamoun NF, Lin P, Zimmerman NM, et al.Intravenous acetaminophen analgesia after cardiac surgery: A randomized, blinded, controlled superiority trial.The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2016;152(3):881-889.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2016.04.078Wrotek S, LeGrand EK, Dzialuk A, Alcock J.Let fever do its job.Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. 2021;9(1):26-35. doi: 10.1093/emph/eoaa044Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clean Hands Count for Safe Healthcare.Clean vs. Sterile dressing techniques for management of chronic wounds: a fact sheet.Journal of Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing. 2012;39(2S):S30-S34. doi: 10.1097/WON.0b013e3182478e06
MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.
Jenkin DE, Naylor JM, Descallar J, Harris IA. Effectiveness of oxycodone hydrochloride (Strong opioid) vs combination acetaminophen and codeine (Mild opioid) for subacute pain after fractures managed surgically: a randomized clinical trial.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(11):e2134988.
Lee WM. Acetaminophen (Apap) hepatotoxicity—Isn’t it time for APAP to go away?Journal of Hepatology. 2017;67(6):1324-1331. doi: doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.07.005
Krenzelok EP, Royal MA.Confusion.Drugs R D. 2012;12(2):45-48. doi: 10.2165/11633010-000000000-00000
Saab S, Konyn PG, Viramontes MR, et al. Limited knowledge of acetaminophen in patients with liver disease.Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology. 2016;4(4):281-287. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2016.00049
UpToDate.Common dosage forms of acetaminophen (paracetamol).
Bauer AZ, Swan SH, Kriebel D, et al.Paracetamol use during pregnancy - a call for precautionary action.Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2021;17(12):757-766. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00553-7
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG responds to consensus statement on paracetamol use during pregnancy.
Yoon E, Babar A, Choudhary M, Kutner M, Pyrsopoulos N. Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: a comprehensive update.Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology. 2016;4(2):131-142. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2015.00052
Crone C, DiMartini A.Liver transplant for intentional acetaminophen overdose: a survey of transplant clinicians׳ experiences with recommendations.Psychosomatics. 2014;55(6):602-612. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2014.02.004
The Nemours Foundation Kidshealth.org.Giving Opioid Prescription Pain Medication: What Parents Need to Know.
American Liver Foundation.Common Medicines with Acetaminophen.
The National Institutes of Health.Goody’s Extra Strength – acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine powder.
Mamoun NF, Lin P, Zimmerman NM, et al.Intravenous acetaminophen analgesia after cardiac surgery: A randomized, blinded, controlled superiority trial.The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2016;152(3):881-889.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2016.04.078
Wrotek S, LeGrand EK, Dzialuk A, Alcock J.Let fever do its job.Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. 2021;9(1):26-35. doi: 10.1093/emph/eoaa044
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clean Hands Count for Safe Healthcare.
Clean vs. Sterile dressing techniques for management of chronic wounds: a fact sheet.Journal of Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing. 2012;39(2S):S30-S34. doi: 10.1097/WON.0b013e3182478e06
Drugs.com.Acetaminophen monograph.
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