Tylenol Patient Tips

How it works

Tylenol is a brand (trade) name for acetaminophen. Experts aren't sure exactly how acetaminophen works, but suspect it blocks a specific type of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme, located mainly in the brain.

Upsides

• Effective for the temporary relief of minor aches, pains and headache. Also relieves fever but does not control inflammation.
• First choice for mild-to-moderate pain due to its efficacy, minimal toxicity and low cost.
• When used at low dosages, it lacks the gastrointestinal side effects associated with NSAID pain relievers (does not cause ulcerations, bleeding or perforations).
• May be combined with strong opioids for the treatment of severe pain.

Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

• Rarely, may cause itchiness, constipation, nausea, vomiting, headache, insomnia, and agitation. May cause gastrointestinal side effects at high dosages.
• Potential for liver damage exists, even at recommended dosages. Risk is increased with higher dosages, with chronic alcohol use, with some medications, and in patients with significant liver disease.
• Considered less effective for pain relief than NSAIDs but associated with a lower risk of side effects.

Notes: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. For a complete list of all side effects, click here.

Bottom Line

Tylenol is an effective mild pain reliever with a low risk of side effects.

Tips

• May be administered without regards to food; although food may decrease any reported stomach upset.
• Men should not drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day and women no more than one alcoholic drink per day while taking Tylenol.
• Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen, if redness or swelling occurs in the painful area, if fever lasts longer than 3 days (all ages), or for persistent pain (excluding sore throat) of longer than 10 days in adults, 5 days in children and adolescents, or 3 days for infants.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you or your child has a sore throat that is severe, persists for longer than 2 days, or is followed by fever, rash, headache, nausea, or vomiting.

Response and Effectiveness

• Pain-relieving effect reached within 30-60 minutes of administration. Effects last for three to four hours.