15 Nov 2021
Tylenol tablets contain acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretics (fever reducers). This drug works quickly to relieve off the pain caused due to medical conditions like headaches and osteoarthritis and reduce fever caused by infections.
Tylenol can be used by itself or even with other medication for the treatment of several medical conditions. Acetaminophen, although it doesn't help in treating swelling or inflammation. It works by blocking out the brain from releasing chemicals that cause the feeling of pain.
The usual dosage of acetaminophen for adults is around 325mg to 650mg every 4 to 6 hours. One shouldn't take more than 4000mg in a 24 hour period. The dosage may also be affected by factors like body weight, medical conditions, and other medications.
However, these tablets shouldn't be used for longer than five days in a row for pain and three days in a row for fever. Tylenol relieves minor aches and pain from the following medical conditions:
- Sore throats
- Body or muscle aches
- Arthritis
- Toothaches
- Menstrual cramps
- Cold
- Headache and migraine
How Long Does Tylenol Stay in your Body?
Each Tylenol tablet contains 300mg of acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is broken down by the liver in your body, which helps it to enter the bloodstream, and it exits the body through the urine. A typical dose of Tylenol can take up to a few hours to leave the body completely when taken orally. The effects of Tylenol take 4 to 6 hours to wash away thoroughly. However, factors like how much acetaminophen you have taken and how regularly you take the drug also affect the stay of your medicine in your system.
Suppose you suffer from no medical conditions and take acetaminophen at recommended doses; In that case, it will take on average 10 to 12 hours for the drug to completely leave your system after your last dose.
Half-life of Tylenol
When one takes a Tylenol tablet, the acetaminophen starts acting within the first hours. The pain-relieving effects of the drug begin and may last for a few hours, depending on your dosage. The absorption is rapid, and it provides a therapeutic level within the first 40 to 120 minutes after consumption.
The peak level is achieved within 2 to 4 hours after ingestion. The half-life of a drug refers to the amount of time it takes for the drug's active ingredient in your body to reduce by half. On average, the half-life of Tylenol is around 2 to 4 hours. Generally, it will take approximately 24 hours for the drug to leave the body through urine. However, it may take even longer, depending on the health of your liver. You can buy Tylenol over the counter from a certified online pharmacy. (Shively, C.A. and Vesell, E.S., 1975).
However, there are several other factors that may affect the stay of the drug, which are as follows,
- The dosage of the drug
- Medical conditions
- Frequency of use
- Body mass
- Gender
- Presence of other drugs.
- Alcohol
Possible Side effects of Tylenol
The common side effects of Tylenol include:
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored stool
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
The above-stated Side effects are the most common ones, and there are many more than this. If you feel like the symptoms are not going away and bothering you too much, then contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Tylenol can also cause some severe side effects like,
- Severe dizziness
- Trouble breathing
- Itching and swelling
- Rash
Get medical help right away if you see any of the above symptoms.
Conclusion
Tylenol is an excellent drug for relieving pain. However, one should always monitor their Tylenol doses and shouldn't take the medication on a frequent basis as regular use of the drug can affect the health of your liver and, in some cases, may prove to be fatal. So it is recommended to always call a doctor before taking Tylenol to treat your medical conditions.
