Tylenol

Generic Name: acetaminophen (a SEET a MIN oh fen)
Brand name: Tylenol

What is Tylenol?

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.

Tylenol is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers.

Tylenol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information Tylenol

Do not take more Tylenol than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

Know the amount of acetaminophen in the specific product you are taking.

Do not take Tylenol without a doctor's advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take Tylenol. Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking Tylenol.

Video: Treatment for Depression

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have liver disease or a history of alcoholism.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.

Before taking Tylenol

You should not use Tylenol if you are allergic to Tylenol.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take Tylenol if you have:

• liver disease; or

• a history of alcoholism.

Do not take this medication without a doctor's advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take Tylenol.

FDA pregnancy category C. Your doctor will determine whether Tylenol is safe for you to use during pregnancy. Do not use this medicine without the advice of your doctor if you are pregnant. Acetaminophen can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Tylenol without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Tylenol pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Do not give acetaminophen to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I use Tylenol?

Use Tylenol exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not take more Tylenol than is recommended. An overdose can damage your liver or cause death.

Measure the liquid form of Tylenol with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. You may need to shake the liquid before each use. Follow the directions on the medicine label.

If you are treating a child, use a pediatric form of Tylenol. Use only the special dose-measuring dropper or oral syringe that comes with the specific pediatric form you are using. Carefully follow the dosing directions on the medicine label. Tylenol made for infants is available in two different dose concentrations, and each concentration comes with its own medicine dropper or oral syringe. These dosing devices are not equal between the different concentrations. Using the wrong device may cause you to give your child an overdose of acetaminophen. Never mix and match dosing devices between infant formulations of acetaminophen. Shake the liquid before each use. Follow the directions on the medicine label.

The chewable tablet must be chewed thoroughly before you swallow it.

Stop using Tylenol and call your doctor if:

• you still have a fever after 3 days of use;

• you still have pain after 7 days of use (or 5 days if treating a child);

• you have a skin rash, ongoing headache, or any redness or swelling; or

• if your symptoms get worse, or if you have any new symptoms.

Tylenol can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using actaminophen.

Store Tylenol at room temperature away from heat and moisture.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Tylenol is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of acetaminophen can be fatal.

The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

What should I avoid while taking Tylenol?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP. Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking this medicine.

Tylenol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Tylenol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite;

• dark urine, clay-colored stools; or

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

This is not a complete list of Tylenol side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Tylenol side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Tylenol?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use acetaminophen if you are also using any of the following drugs:

• an antibiotic, antifungal medicine, sulfa drug, or tuberculosis medicine;

• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;

• blood pressure medication;

• cancer medications;

• cholesterol-lowering medications such as Lipitor, Niaspan, Zocor, Vytorin, and others;

• gout or arthritis medications (including gold injections);

• HIV/AIDS medications;

• medicines to treat psychiatric disorders;

• an NSAID such as Advil, Aleve, Arthrotec, Cataflam, Celebrex, Indocin, Motrin, Naprosyn, Treximet, Voltaren, and others; or

• seizure medications.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with acetaminophen. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Tylenol.