Tylenol

Tylenol Information

Generic Name: Acetaminophen

Tylenol (acetaminophen) provides temporary relief of minor aches and pains with heartburn or acid indigestion and upset stomach associated with these symptoms. Tylenol (acetaminophen) chewable tablets, elixir, drops, suspension liquid and suspension drops are designed for treatment of infants and children with conditions requiring temporary relief of fever and discomfort due to colds and "flu", and of simple pain and discomfort due to teething, immunizations and tonsillectomy.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is used to treat many conditions, such as:

headache
muscle aches
arthritis
backache
toothaches
colds
fevers

How Does Tylenol Work?

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a peripherally acting analgesic and is well absorbed orally. Acetaminophen produces analgesia by elevation of the pain threshold and antipyresis through action on the hypothalamic heat regulating center. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is equal to aspirin in analgesic and antipyretic effectiveness.

The plasma elimination half-life ranges from 1 to 4 hours for Tylenol (acetaminophen). Tylenol (acetaminophen) is distributed throughout most fluids of the body, and is metabolized primarily in the liver. Little unchanged drug is excreted in the urine, but most metabolic products appear in the urine within 24 hours.

Tylenol Ingredients and Composition

How To Take Tylenol and Tylenol Dosage and Administration

500mg tablets

Adults and children 12 years of age and older: Two Tylenol tablets every 6 hours. No more than a total of 8 tablets in any 24 hour period or as directed by a physician. Not for use in children under 12 years of age.

Usual dosage - children

All dosages may be repeated every 4 hours, but not more than 5 times daily. Administer to children under 2 years only on the advice of a physician.

Children's acetaminophen Chewable Tablets (80mg): 2-3 years: two tablets. 4-5 years: three tablets. 6-8 years: four tablets. 9-10 years: five tablets. 11-12 years: six tablets.

Children's Acetaminophen Elixir and Suspension Liquid (160mg/5ml): (special cup for measuring dosage is provided) 4-11 months: one-half teaspoon. 12-23 months: three-quarters teaspoon. 2-3 years: one teaspoon. 4-5 years: one and one-half teaspoons. 6-8 years: 2 teaspoons. 9-10 years: two and one-half teaspoons. 11-12 years: three teaspoons.

Infants' Acetaminophen Drops and Suspension Drops (80mg/0.8ml): 0-3 months: 0.4 ml. 4-11 months: 0.8 ml. 12-23 months: 1.2 ml. 2-3 years: 1.6 ml. 4-5 years: 2.4ml.

If you suspect a Tylenol Overdose

Tylenol (acetaminophen) overdose signs and symptoms:

In acute acetaminophen overdosage, dose-dependent, potentially fatal hepatic necrosis is the most serious adverse effect. Renal tubular necrosis, hypoglycemic coma and thrombocytopenia may also occur.

In adults, hepatic toxicity has rarely been reported with acute overdoses of less than 10 grams and fatalities with less than 15 grams. Importantly, young children seem to be more resistant than adults to the hepatotoxic effect of an acetaminophen overdose. Despite this, the measures outlined below should be initiated in any adult or child suspected of having ingested an acetaminophen overdose.

Early symptoms following a potentially hepatotoxic overdose may include:

nausea
vomiting
diaphoresis
general malaise

Clinical and laboratory evidence of hepatic toxicity may not be apparent until 48 to 72 hours post-ingestion.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) overdose treatment:

The stomach should be emptied promptly by lavage or by induction of emesis with syrup of ipecac. Patients' estimates of the quantity of a drug ingested are notoriously unreliable. Therefore, if an acetaminophen overdose is suspected, a serum acetaminophen assay should be obtained as early as possible, but no sooner than four hours following ingestion. Liver function studies should be obtained initially and repeated at 24-hour intervals.

The antidote, N-acetylcysteine, should be administered as early as possible, preferably within 16 hours of the overdose ingestion for optimal results, but in any case, within 24 hours. Following recovery, there are no residual, structural or functional hepatic abnormalities.

Tylenol Side Effects

Tylenol Precautions and Contraindications

Do not use the maximum dosage of Tylenol for more than 10 days except under the advice and supervision of a physician. Do not take the product for pain for more than 10 days, or for fever for more than 3 days unless directed by a physician. If pain or fever persists or gets worse, if new symptoms occur, or if redness or swelling is present, consult a physician because these could be signs of a serious condition. Do not use with other products containing acetaminophen.

Tylenol and Alcohol Interaction

Chronic heavy alcohol abusers may be at increased risk of liver toxicity from excessive acetaminophen use, although reports of this event are rare. Reports almost invariably involve cases of severe chronic alcoholics and the dosages of Tylenol (acetaminophen) most often exceed recommended doses and often involve substantial overdose. Professionals should alert their patients who regularly consume large amounts of alcohol not to exceed recommended doses of acetaminophen.

Taking Tylenol during Pregnancy or Breast-feeding

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take acetaminophen without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) passes into breast milk. It appears to be safe for use during breast-feeding but should be avoided if possible. Talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen if you are breast-feeding a baby.