Tylenol, the brand name for Acetaminophen, belongs to two classes of medications called analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers). It is widely used to treat mild to moderate pain and moderate to severe pain or reduce fever in conjunction with opiates. Its mechanism of action is to change the way the body senses and responds to pain and cool the body. Acetaminophen treats several common conditions, including migraine, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, backache, toothaches, sore throat, colds, fevers, flu, and arthritis (Sholal, J.B. and Smilkstein, M.J., 1996).
Tylenol adult acetaminophen medications come in three strengths:
• Regular strength (325 mg)
• Extra strength (500 mg)
• Extended-release Tylenol 8 HR (625 mg).
There are two types of Tylenol Regular Strength: Tablets(325mg) and liquid gel capsules (325mg)
The most common side effects caused by Tylenol include:
Tylenol may cause serious side effects, including:
Get immediate medical attention if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above.
Inform your doctor if you have any side effects that are persistent or severe.
Acetaminophen is found in a number of cold, flu, sinus, and arthritis treatments. Taking one or more of these medications increases the risk of acetaminophen intoxication or overdose.
Other drugs may reduce the effectiveness of acetaminophen or increase the risk of acetaminophen-induced liver damage. Alcohol, anaesthetics, barbiturates, nicotine, some antibiotics, and certain anticonvulsants are among these drugs. Other possible medication interactions with Tylenol should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
An acetaminophen overdose can be lethal. Seek medical help as soon as possible. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness are the initial indicators of an acetaminophen overdose. Pain in the upper stomach, black urine, and yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes are some of the later signs.