Acetaminophen Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions ... - WebMD

• Drugs & Medications
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

• Uses
• Side Effects
• Warnings & Precautions
• Interactions
• Overdose/Missed Dose
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Overview: Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine for pain or fever. Stop taking acetaminophen and call your health care provider right away if you get a rash. Acetaminophen is in many prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products. Tell your health care provider about everything that you take because taking too much acetaminophen can damage your liver and even be life-threatening. Acetaminophen is available as tablets, chewable tablets, or liquids that you swallow; a powder that dissolves on your tongue; and a suppository that you insert into your rectum.

Uses

What is acetaminophen used for?

Acetaminophen is commonly used for the following.

• Fever
• Aches and pains, such as headache, tooth ache, sore throat, menstrual cramps, or osteoarthritis

Acetaminophen may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does acetaminophen work (mechanism of action)?

For fever, acetaminophen works in the part of your brain that controls body temperature to lower it.

For pain, acetaminophen seems to block pain signals from getting to your brain. It may also block certain chemicals (prostaglandins) from being made that contribute to pain.   

How is acetaminophen supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

• Tylenol

Dosage forms and strengths

• 160 mg chewable tablets
• 160 mg/packet, 500 mg/packet
• 160 mg/5 mL oral suspension
• 160 mg/5 mL oral solution
• 650 mg oral extended-release tablets
• 325 mg, 500 mg, 650 mg oral tablets
• 120 mg, 650 mg rectal suppositories

How should I store acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). Follow any specific storage recommendations on your specific product. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen does not usually cause side effects. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of acetaminophen. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of acetaminophen?

While less common, the most serious side effects of acetaminophen are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Acetaminophen may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking acetaminophen and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Severe Skin Reactions. Acetaminophen can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, stop taking acetaminophen and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

• Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
• Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
• Red, painful, watery eyes
• Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking acetaminophen and may be life-threatening. Risk factors for liver damage include taking too much acetaminophen, drinking alcohol while taking it, or taking it with other medicines that have acetaminophen in it. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach or belly pain
• Fever
• Weakness or unusual tiredness
• Itching
• Loss of appetite
• Light-colored poop
• Dark-colored urine (pee)
• Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use acetaminophen?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take acetaminophen.

• Acetaminophen
• Tylenol
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific acetaminophen products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Acetaminophen should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking acetaminophen, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about acetaminophen before using it?

Read and follow any instructions that come with the medicine. 

Do not take more acetaminophen than is recommended. Acetaminophen is one of the medicines in many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines. Read the labels of anything that you take to see if the product contains acetaminophen. Ask your pharmacist or other health care provider if you are not sure how much acetaminophen to take or how often to take it. 

Keep acetaminophen out of the reach of children and pets.

Stop taking acetaminophen and talk to your health care provider for any of the following.

• Your pain gets worse instead of better or lasts more than ten days (adults) or five days (children)
• Your fever gets worse instead of better, lasts more than three days, or comes back
• You have redness, swelling, or other new symptoms

Some acetaminophen liquid products need to be shaken up before measuring your dose. Follow the directions that come with your product. Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose of liquid acetaminophen. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

Remove the wrapper from the acetaminophen suppository before using it. Ask your health care provider if you are not sure how to use a suppository. 

If you are taking acetaminophen chewable tablets, the tablets must be crushed or chewed up completely before swallowing them. Do not swallow the chewable tablets whole. 

If you are taking acetaminophen powder, you should pour the powder on your tongue. The medicine will dissolve on your tongue. Once it is dissolved, you can swallow it. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about how to use acetaminophen powder. 

You should not chew, break, or crush extended-release acetaminophen tablets. They should be swallowed whole. 

If acetaminophen is being used for a sore throat (especially in children), tell your health care provider right away if you also have a fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting. These symptoms can be common with strep throat.

What should I tell my health care provider before using acetaminophen?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if acetaminophen is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Liver problems
• You drink alcohol often or in large amounts

Pregnancy. At recommended doses, acetaminophen is not expected to affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take acetaminophen while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Acetaminophen passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take acetaminophen while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does acetaminophen interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between acetaminophen and foods or drinks.

The risk of liver damage may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking acetaminophen. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink. See the Side Effects section for more details.

Does acetaminophen interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking acetaminophen.

• Any medicine that contains acetaminophen, such as oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet), which is a medicine used for pain
• Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
• Ketoconazole, which is a medicine used for fungal infections

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with acetaminophen. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Check Interactions

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much acetaminophen?

If you or someone else has used too much acetaminophen, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen is meant to be taken as needed. If you miss a scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

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