Has anyone else experienced hallucinations and vivid nightmares while taking the new red-coated, easy to swallow, extra strength Tylenol? I have taken the old Tylenol for more than 20 years with absolutely no side effects. Why should the new stuff be so troublesome?
Can Extra-strength Tylenol cause hallucinations and vivid nightmares?
Question posted by cutekid on 26 July 2010
Last updated on 26 January 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
25 Answers Page 2
grober9615
7 Feb 2017
For the past several years, I've noticed that whenever I take Extra-Strength Tylenol or generic Acetaminophen, I have intense and vivid dreams/nightmares afterwards. Haven't experienced any hallucinations, but definitely a correlation with the dreams/nightmares.
Gin55
18 Jan 2017
Took 2 red coated extra strength Tylenol for headache early in. Experienced a horrible night of bad dreams.
Pattg1
9 Nov 2016
Happened to me too
ehsan saleem
27 Sep 2016
when I experience a pain in my stomach I used to take Tylenol for pain relief. As a result, I used to experience some hallucination and I used to hear some voices and my eyes and skin colour change to yellow, feeling sleepy and change in mode. I used to look like someone not well, I was distracted all the time as my friends and my sister keep tell me what is wrong? are you ok? when I stopped for taken it I did not experience any of this side effects. It was biased for me to know that other people out there have had experienced the same thing, the same side effects, and it never crosses my mind that it is the medication. for me, now I realised that was the medication and how that could be a damaged for brain function as taking this type of medication for the long run.
Beuoykid71
10 Nov 2020
You mention a yellow look. Is it possible we are all experiencing a liver reaction? Does Tylenol accumulate in the body over an extended period and cause some form of liver damage? On a couple of occasions I’ve actually attacked,and was hitting, my husband in my sleep!
I too am unable to take anti-inflammatory drugs like Aspirin and Ibuprofen. So now what!
Inactive
1 April 2015
I have vivid, very interesting dreams involving my much younger self and family.
Momgenius7
14 May 2014
I took some for my cramps. After about 20 minutes it began to make me tired I went to bed and the hallucinating started . I saw my kids repeatedly enter and leave my room heard footsteps as well. Then I also couldnt wake myself from violent dreams. Felt like attacking my husband as well. I am very afraid to sleep right now and I need to go to work in the morning. How long will this last?
Bernice Williams
29 Sep 2013
Been taking tylenol for many years. Recently every night 2 tablets at night for shoulder pain. Last 2 weeks nightmares and hallucinations when taking only 2 regular strength 325 tablets. Just now heard someone sighing next to my bed. Couldnt wake up. Very fatigued during day and falling asleep during day. Also sometimes in a fog and dazed in daytime could this also be an effect of tylenol?
RN1977
30 Aug 2013
Same experience for me. The base drug acetaminophen will be the same, it is the 'easy swallow' coating. No other meds, Tylenol user for 30 yrs. I will not take it again, the nightmares were vivid and unsettling.
marikuk
10 March 2012
I was thinking I was getting crazy but I had exactly the same side effects two days ago after I took 2 extra-streght Tylenol. It was SCARY, I had vivid nightmares and hallucinations. I also had violent feelings like I was going to hit somebody or something. I have confess that day I didn't eat very much before I had the Tylenol but I never had a side effect like that before. Tylenol is always being a safe option for me because I cant take ibuprofen or aleve.Now I am scared to take it again :(
Inactive
26 July 2010
no, I never heard of that. And No I don't have that problem either. Is he on any other medication. Some medicine it can be a straight side effect from it.
Birdhappy
26 July 2010
I agree with Eclispe2, it is not the tylenol as the old extra strength forumla is exactly the same . Only difference is that one is a tablet the oher a capsule. I suggest you check with your Dr. esp if you are on other medications. If are not on any other meds you still need to see him so he or she can do some investagative studies on you. Hopefully you will find the cause soon.
cutekid
27 July 2010
Thank you for your interest in my experience. No, I am not on any other medication, at all. Nor do I drink alcoholic beverages. As I said, I've taken Tylenol for at least thirty years, for various reasons. Never a problem. I don't have medical insurance, so cannot just go to a physician and ask him/her to investigate what has happened. It has scared me half to death. I now don't know what to take for headaches or, as in this time, a toothache. I can't take aspirin because it plays havoc with my stomach. Tylenol used to be perfect, now I seem to be violently allergic to it. Does any else have any ideas about what is happening? (Tylenol does list hallucinations as one of their serious side effects. I wonder just how common this is. I cannot believe that this a unique experience.) Thank you again for all of your help.
RN1977
30 Aug 2013
Yes. I have had the same experience 3 nights in a row. No other medications, acetaminophen user for over 30 yrs. The base acetaminophen will be the same. It is the coating. I will not take it again, the nightmares were vivid and upsetting.
hopefulness10
28 Nov 2013
OMG!! My mother is 92. She has been taking extra strength Tylenol for back pain recently. She just asked today whether Tylenol could possibly explain her terrible nightmares and a particular hallucination. I told her I didn't think it could be it but she is not on anything else (bless her heart she is healthy!). I'm going to reassure her because she thought her mind was slipping even though she is completely with it in all ways and even has a great memory.
I didn't think I would find anything about Tylenol. But here are answers from other people who have had this experience as well and I just wanted to add our experience. She can switch to something else, and to be sure, she will. We have to watch stomach upset of course, but hallucinations are the worst! She gets so scared because she lives alone and suddenly thinks there is someone in the room... sees them, hears them. But only since taking Tylenol. Who knew?? Wow.
Bless you all! and YAY for the internet and the ability to search just about anything. All she has to do is stop taking it to get the answer herself.
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tylenol, nightmares, hallucination
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