Tylenol Extra Strength oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

Warnings:

Taking too much acetaminophen may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Adults should not take more than 4000 milligrams (4 grams) of acetaminophen a day. People with liver problems and children should take less acetaminophen. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how much acetaminophen is safe to take.

Do not use with any other drug containing acetaminophen without asking your doctor or pharmacist first. Acetaminophen is in many nonprescription and prescription medications (such as pain/fever drugs or cough-and-cold products). Check the labels on all your medicines to see if they contain acetaminophen, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.

Get medical help right away if you take too much acetaminophen (overdose), even if you feel well. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, stomach/abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, yellowing eyes/skin, and dark urine.

Daily alcohol use, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may damage your liver. Avoid alcohol.

How to use Tylenol Extra Strength

Take this product by mouth as directed. Follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

There are many brands and forms of acetaminophen available. Read the dosing instructions carefully for each product because the amount of acetaminophen may be different between products. Do not take more acetaminophen than recommended. (See also Warning section.)

If you are giving acetaminophen to a child, be sure you use a product that is meant for children. Use your child's weight to find the right dose on the product package. If you don't know your child's weight, you can use their age.

For suspensions, shake the medication well before each dose. Some liquids do not need to be shaken before use. Follow all directions on the product package. Measure the liquid medication with the provided dose-measuring spoon/dropper/syringe to make sure you have the correct dose. Do not use a household spoon.

For rapidly-dissolving tablets, chew or allow to dissolve on the tongue, then swallow with or without water. For chewable tablets, chew thoroughly before swallowing.

Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Swallow the tablets whole.

For effervescent tablets, dissolve the dose in the recommended amount of water, then drink.

Pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the symptoms have worsened, the medication may not work as well.

Do not take this medication for fever for more than 3 days unless directed by your doctor. For adults, do not take this product for pain for more than 10 days (5 days in children) unless directed by your doctor. If the child has a sore throat (especially with high fever, headache, or nausea/vomiting), consult the doctor promptly.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse or if you develop new symptoms. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

This drug usually has no side effects. If you have any unusual effects, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

See also Warning section.

Before taking acetaminophen, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, regular use/abuse of alcohol.

Liquid products, chewable tablets, or dissolving/effervescent tablets and powders may contain sugar or aspartame. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. If you have any of these conditions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about using these products safely.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.

Acetaminophen passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Interactions

See also Warning section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug are: ketoconazole, levoketoconazole.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Does Tylenol Extra Strength interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, stomach/abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine.

Notes

Acetaminophen does not cause the stomach and intestinal ulcers that NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen may cause. However, acetaminophen does not reduce swelling (inflammation) like the NSAIDs do. Consult your doctor for more details and to see which medication might be right for you.

Missed Dose

If you are taking this medication on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Images

Tylenol Extra Strength oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (1)

Tylenol Extra Strength 500 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: TYLENOL 500

This medicine is a white, oblong, film-coated, tablet imprinted with "TYLENOL 500".

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Tylenol Extra Strength oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What is the new warning on Tylenol Extra Strength? ›

Bottles of Extra Strength Tylenol will soon have a new warning on their caps: “Contains acetaminophen. Always read the label.” The bright red lettering is an effort by Tylenol's parent company, Johnson & Johnson, to reduce the number of accidental acetaminophen overdoses that occur each year.

What is the danger of extra strength Tylenol? ›

Never take more than 8 pills (4000 mg) in 24 hours. Taking the maximum daily dose for extended periods can cause serious damage to the liver.

What medications should not be taken with Tylenol? ›

Drug interactions of Tylenol include carbamazepine, isoniazid, rifampin, alcohol, cholestyramine, and warfarin. Tylenol is often used during pregnancy for short-term treatment of fever and minor pain during pregnancy.

What is the most common side effect of Tylenol? ›

Nausea is the most common mild side effect, affecting approximately 34% of users. However, Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen and paracetamol, is generally safe at recommended doses. “I do not take OTC pain relievers for long term or in high quantities and have not experienced side effects,” Dr.

What happens if you take Tylenol Extra Strength every day? ›

Taking too much acetaminophen may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Adults should not take more than 4000 milligrams (4 grams) of. People with liver problems and children should take less acetaminophen. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how much acetaminophen is safe to take.

Is Extra Strength Tylenol safer than ibuprofen? ›

Health Risks of Acetaminophen vs. Ibuprofen

Acetaminophen should be used carefully in those with liver problems, but it is safe for pregnant women. Ibuprofen, on the other hand, should be used cautiously by individuals with heart disease, high blood pressure, clotting disorders, kidney problems and the elderly.

What's the difference between regular Tylenol and extra strength Tylenol? ›

Tylenol is available in different strengths as measured by the amount of acetaminophen in milligrams (mg). Lower strengths have a shorter duration of action, while higher strengths have a longer duration of action.

Does Tylenol affect urination? ›

An increased excretion of urinary creatinine, and also an increased urine volume (data not presented) were observed after acetaminophen ingestion.

What not to eat with Tylenol? ›

Reduces Effectiveness. Food, especially foods high in pectin (including jellies), carbohydrates, and many types of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and others) can interfere with acetaminophen absorption. It is unclear how much effect this interaction has on acetaminophen activity.

When should you never take Tylenol? ›

You should not take Tylenol if you are allergic to acetaminophen, or if you have severe liver disease. Do not take this medicine 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.

Does Tylenol interact with any vitamins? ›

Although few supplement interactions with acetaminophen have been reported in people, research suggests certain vitamins and herbs may affect how acetaminophen is metabolized in the body — increasing its potential for adverse effects or decreasing its effectiveness.

What is the safest pain reliever for seniors? ›

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually safer for older adults than other pain medicines. Topical pain medicines (also called topical analgesics) can also help. When common pain medicines don't work to manage pain, your healthcare provider may suggest other medicines, such as antidepressants or anticonvulsants.

What is the bad ingredient in Tylenol? ›

Acetaminophen toxicity is the second most common cause of liver transplantation worldwide and the most common cause of liver transplantation in the US. It is responsible for 56,000 emergency department visits, 2,600 hospitalizations, and 500 deaths per year in the United States.

Which medication is not recommended for patients older than 65 years? ›

  • factors3 Melatonin4. Cardiovascular. ...
  • blockers. Rhythm control5 dofetilide (Tikosyn), ...
  • (Rhythmol) Heart failure6 beta blocker, ACEIb, ARBc, ...
  • Nifedipine extended release (Procardia XL)7. Depression. ...
  • comparable to placebo. ...
  • venlafaxine, duloxetine, buspirone (Buspar) ...
  • pregabalin (Lyrica) ...
  • (Topamax)

Why was Extra Strength Tylenol recalled? ›

A-S Medication Solutions Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Acetaminophen Extra Strength Tablets Contained in Health Essentials Kits Due to Mislabeling | FDA.

Why does Tylenol have a black box warning? ›

Current research is limited, and the results are mixed. FDA issued guidelines for adding overdose information to products. The agency confirmed the link between acetaminophen and liver damage and added a black box warning, the agency's strongest warning, to the label of prescription products containing the drug.

What is the FDA proposed warning for Tylenol? ›

Federal drug regulators are calling for Tylenol and other acetaminophen-based drugs to carry warnings about the risk of dangerous skin reactions, following years of reports and scientific data linking the popular pain killer to the development of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Can I take Extra Strength Tylenol with high blood pressure? ›

This doesn't mean people with hypertension should never take acetaminophen for aches and pains. Yet, it's best to use the lowest effective dose, and no more than two regular-strength (325-mg) tablets every six hours, or two extra-strength (500-mg) tablets every eight hours.

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