Can You Take Tylenol (Acetaminophen) On An Empty Stomach?

We all think that medications should only be taken after eating some food, but some medicines can be consumed without food and are completely safe, like Tylenol. Doctors advise taking medicine before meals or other medicine because there are various health reasons behind it. To protect from the interactions these precautions are notified

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a pain reliever as well as a fever reducer. Tylenol is an over-the-counter medicine used to treat and reduce the symptoms of pain and fever caused by conditions such as colds or flu, headaches, muscle aches, arthritis. Tylenol also helps in menstrual cramps, or fever. You can take Tylenol alone or also with another medicine.

Tylenol is actually the brand name for Acetaminophen in the USA and Paracetamol in European and Asian countries. Unlike NSAIDs, Tylenol is entirely safe to take on an empty stomach as it does not cause gastric or ulcer diseases (Bushra, R., Aslam, N. and Khan, A.Y., 2011).

Let us get into detail about how Tylenol as a painkiller is safe on an empty stomach.? And understand the facts.

Note:

Several people often confuse Tylenol with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen or Motrin, which leads them to stereotype Tylenol and consider it unsafe without being aware of the facts and working of the drug.

How Long Does It Take For Tylenol To Start Working?

The time it takes for Tylenol to start working depends on the dose. Oral tablets must first dissolve in the stomach and get absorbed into the bloodstream before affecting the body.

Tylenol liquid takes about 20 minutes to start working, whereas oral tablets take about 30 to 45 minutes.

Tylenol taken on a full stomach may take up to double the time to affect the body, depending on the preparation. It takes more time for Tylenol to reduce fever while it is faster in relieving pain.

Can You Take Tylenol Extra Strength Without Food?

Tylenol can be taken on with a glass of water, as an empty stomach absorbs Tylenol much faster since there is no food. Food in our stomach deters the absorption process of Tylenol.

However, many people might feel ill or uncomfortable after taking Tylenol on an empty stomach; these people might have a sensitive gastrointestinal tract or their digestive system just can’t handle the effect of it.

You can also take it with food. There are no interactions with food. Nevertheless, if you have a susceptible gut and are still not confident (of) about taking Tylenol on an empty stomach, you can take it with milk. If you have diabetes, your dose needs to be monitored so that your liver is not harmed.

Taking Tylenol with some food might turn out to be better and much more comfortable.

While the Tylenol brand has 325 mg strength, the Tylenol Extra strength brand has 500 mg strength. It’s best to take Tylenol Extra strength with food to avoid hepatotoxicity (and liver issues).

Can Tylenol On An Empty Stomach Cause Nausea?

As such Tylenol does not cause nausea on an empty stomach. However, Tylenol overdose can cause nausea, especially for those who have a sensitive gut or gastrointestinal issues.

Tips For Taking Tylenol

• People with weak gastrointestinal health should consume it with food.
• Don’t exceed the recommended dose. Overdose can harm the liver.
• Avoid consumption of alcohol. It will interact with Tylenol making it difficult to detoxify the body. It will also damage the liver.
• Pregnant women should follow the advice of their medical experts.

Side Effects Of Tylenol

Tylenol can cause some side effects which create discomfort. These are some of the rare side effects, which include.

• Rash
• Itching or swelling on face, tongue, or throat
• Dizziness
• Trouble in breathing in some cases

Some widespread side effects of Tylenol are

• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• May feel like hungover
• Dark or cloudy urine
• Dark stools

It is essential to go to a doctor if you have any side effects that bother you and are not ready to go away. There is a misconception that (about) Tylenol (Acetaminophen/Paracetamol) (that it) causes stomach bleeding.

Tylenol  does not cause either stomach bleeding or other intestinal disturbances. It depends on the quantity of Tylenol you are consuming and you gut issues if there. Tylenol overconsumption, that is dose of more than 4000 mg a day, can inhibit the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. These enzymes protect the intestinal linings, kidney and also the liver.

Is Tylenol A Blood Thinning Medicine?  (Is Tylenol A Blood Thinner?)

Tylenol is not associated with blood-thinning. Tylenol relieves the patient’s pain and has nothing to do with blood thinning.

Precautions to be taken before Consuming Tylenol

• You should not take Tylenol if you are allergic to acetaminophen or if you have severe liver conditions.
• Do not consume this medicine until and unless it is recommended or prescribed by your doctor if you ever had liver disease or if you drink more than two alcoholic beverages per day.
• It is because alcohol combined with Tylenol can be hazardous and can cause severe side effects and discomfort. Alcohol and Tylenol combination can result in liver toxicity and nausea.
• Acetaminophen can pass to breast milk and may harm a nurturing baby. Asking a doctor is mandatory before using this medicine if you are pregnant.

• Do not give this medicine to children younger than two years old without the advice of a doctor.

• Adults and teenagers in the weight class of at least 50 kilograms must not take more than 1000 mg of Tylenol at once and not more than 4000 mg in 24 hours.

Conclusion

So to put your doubt in perspective, you can take Tylenol (can be taken) on an empty stomach. It will harm your stomach or liver only if you go overboard and take a very high dose at once causing gastrointestinal issues. To avoid this you can take it after a good meal or as directed by the physician.

If you still want to be very safe, you can have Tylenol with a glass of milk. We hope this blog has cleared your misconception about (on) Tylenol.