Tylenol, also known as paracetamol or acetaminophen, is one of the most widely used medications in the word. Paracetamol is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID. Other drugs that belong in this category include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.
Many people don’t think twice before taking a pill or two of Tylenol. Most of us keep a bottle of this medication at home, and we take it whenever we have symptoms of a cold, a toothache, a headache, or even after a night of partying. In many cases, people ignore that paracetamol can cause negative side effects.
Paracetamol is available in many pharmacological forms. These include tablets, suppositories, soluble tablets, capsules, pediatric solutions, and intravenous solutions. Additionally, many cold or flu medications contain paracetamol along with a combination of other drugs; it’s very important to check the active ingredients that make up any medications you’re taking.
Paracetamol is generally safe, as long as you don’t exceed the recommended dosage. But many people ignore the fact that you can easily go over this dose; similarly, people might not know which other substances or medications shouldn’t be taken alongside paracetamol. All medications can potentially cause side effects; knowing these possible side effects will allow you to recognize them and seek medical attention quickly if necessary.
Read on to discover more about the little-known side effects of Tylenol.
List of rare Tylenol side effects
Rare (less than 0.1%):
- Bloody or black stools
- Malaise
- Increased hepatic enzymes
- Acute liver failure
- Drug-induced hepatitis
- Skin rash or hives
- Fatigue or weakness
- Unusual bleeding
- Sore throat
- Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Fever
- Lip sores or ulcers
- Decreased urination
Very rare (less than 0.01%):
- Pemphigoid reaction
- Pustular rash
- Lyell syndrome
- Thrombocytopenia
- Leucopenia
- Neutropenia
Why you shouldn’t mix alcohol and Tylenol
Many people are used to taking a tablet of paracetamol before going to bed after consuming alcohol. This is based on the belief that the paracetamol will help you avoid feeling hungover the following day. However, paracetamol shouldn’t be mixed with large amounts of alcohol. Both alcohol and Tylenol are metabolized in your liver; combining these two substances can overpower your liver’s ability to work correctly.
In rare cases, this mix can cause hepatic damage and even acute liver failure. If you want to take a painkiller to avoid feeling hungover the day after drinking alcohol, go for ibuprofen or naproxen. These medications don’t carry the same risk of liver failure when mixed with alcohol as Tylenol.
You should also avoid paracetamol if you’re taking any of the following medications:
- Carbamazepine
- Ketoconazole
- Metoclopramide
- Warfarin
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
How much Tylenol does it take to cause an overdose?
In adults, the maximum recommended dosage of paracetamol is 4 grams per day. Most paracetamol capsules or tablets are available in 250 mg or 500 mg forms. That means that if you’re taking one pill every 8 hours, you’re very unlikely to reach the maximum dosage. However, if you take two 500 mg pills every 6 hours, you’ll reach the maximum amount of paracetamol that you can take each day.
In children, the maximum dosage of paracetamol will depend on their age and weight. Before giving your child paracetamol, check with a healthcare professional who can calculate the dose that they can safely tolerate, and how much time you should wait between doses. Never medicate children without talking to a doctor first.
Paracetamol overdose is extremely rare, but it does happen. The liver is the most commonly affected vital organ. If you suspect you or a loved one is suffering from a paracetamol overdose, you’ll need to seek medical attention immediately. In very rare cases, a paracetamol overdose can lead to death.
Symptoms of a paracetamol overdose:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased sweating
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Swelling in the upper portion of the abdomen
Overall, paracetamol is a very effective and safe medication, which is the reason why so many physicians prescribe it every day. However, it’s always important to learn more about the possible side effects that can be caused by any medications you consume. Although most of these side effects are extremely rare, they can occur and knowing about them will allow you to detect them sooner.
Children are particularly prone to suffering from side effects if they’ve been given a dosage that is inappropriate for their age and weight. If your child is taking paracetamol, make sure to keep an eye out for any new symptoms or changes in their behavior. If you suspect anything is wrong, seek medical attention immediately.