Tylenol

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Tylenol is a brand name for the non-prescription medication acetaminophen. Tylenol is used as a pain reliever and fever reducer. Tylenol is considered safe when taken according to instructions, may sometimes be taken during pregnancy, and the infant formulation of acetaminophen is the only pain reliever recommended for infants under the age of six months.^{[1] [2] [3]}

The active ingredient in Tylenol is found in many prescription and over the counter formulas. Taking other medications containing acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol or APAP) along with Tylenol may cause overdose and liver failure.^[1]

Contents 1 Tylenol Overview 2 Tylenol Abuse 3 Drug Side Effects 4 Tylenol Side Effects 5 References

Tylenol Overview

Tylenol helps relieve aches and mild to moderate pain, including headaches, backaches, toothaches, muscle aches and arthritis pain. It also reduces fever by turning down the brain's thermostat.^{[6][1] [2]}

Tylenol is available in several different formulations, to help with several different conditions. All Tylenol formulations contain acetaminophen. Many, like regular Tylenol, Tylenol Extra, and Tylenol Arthritis, have only acetaminophen as an active ingredient, though they have different doses and may be a time release formula.^{[7] [8]}

Tylenol Sinus formulations may include Guaifenesin (an expectorant) and Phenylephrine HCl (a nasal decongestant). Tylenol Allergy formulas contain Chlorpheniramine maleate (an antihistamine). Nighttime Sinus and Allergy formulas contain Chlorpheniramine maleate or Diphenhydramine HCl (antihistamines).^[9]

Tylenol Cold and Flu formulas are similar to the Sinus and Allergy formulas, but they also contain Dextromethorphan HBr (a cough suppressant).^[10]

Tylenol PM, like many Tylenol Nighttime formulations, contains Diphenhydramine HCl in addition to acetaminophen.^[11] A product called Tylenol Simply Sleep will become available. It will have the Tylenol logo but the only active ingredient will be Diphenhydramine HCl. It will contain no acetaminophen.^[12]

Infants' and children's formulations of Tylenol contain ingredients which are similar to the adult formulas, but in a dose which is appropriate for the age and weight of infants and children. They also come in flavored versions which may be easier to administer to children. Administering adult formulas of Tylenol to infants or children may result in overdose and liver failure.^[13]

Tylenol Abuse

Tylenol abuse is usually unintentional. Acetaminophen, the active ingredient, is widely found in many prescription and over the counter medications, and may be labeled as acetaminophen, paracetamol, or APAP. For these reasons, patients may take different medications to treat different conditions and accidentally consume a dose over the recommended adult maximum of 4 grams per day. Taking too much acetaminophen, or taking acetaminophen and drinking alcohol, may cause severe liver failure.^{[5] [14]}

Some over the counter pain relievers which contain acetaminophen include Anacin, Excedrin, and Midol. It is found in many cold, flu, and allergy medicines like Actifed, Comtrex, Contac, Dristan, Vicks Dayquil and Nyquil, Drixoral, Theraflu, Sudafed, Robitussin, and Coricidin, as well as some formulations of Triaminic and Vicks Formula 44. Acetaminophen is also in some children's cough, cold and flu medications like Lemsip and Dimetapp.^[2]

The active ingredient in Tylenol is also used in combination with several prescription pain relievers, including hydrocodone (Lortab, Polygesic, and Vicodin, among others), oxycodone (including Endocet, Narvox, Percocet, and Roxicet), and tramadol (Ultracet). Use of these prescription pain relievers with over the counter medications containing acetaminophen is associated with liver failure.^[1]

Drug Side Effects

Tylenol Side Effects

Tylenol may cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction that may require medical treatment include:^[15]

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
• Rash or hives

While patients who overdose on Tylenol or other products containing acetaminophen should seek medical treatment, an overdose of acetaminophen may not cause obvious symptoms. However, some of the possible symptoms of Tylenol overdose include:^[16]

• Bleeding or bruising
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes

Also See: Tylenol Side Effects, OTC Drugs, Prescription Drugs, Drug Side Effects, Controlled Substances and Illegal Drugs, Patient Assistance Programs, Drugs and Pregnancy, Oxycodone Side Effects, Vicodin Side Effects, Percocet Side Effects, Darvocet Side Effects, Tylenol Coupons, Excedrin Coupons, Nyquil Coupons, Tylenol and Pregnancy, Tylenol Recall, Acetaminophen

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a681004.html
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000521/
3. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/symptom-relief.html
4. ↑ http://www.tylenol.com/
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm239821.htm
6. ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003090.htm
7. ↑ http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/headbody/main.inc
8. ↑ http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/arth/main.inc
9. ↑ http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/sinus/main.inc
10. ↑ http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/cold/main.inc
11. ↑ http://www.tylenol.com/product_detail.jhtml?id=tylenol/pain/prod_pm.inc&prod=subppm#
12. ↑ http://www.tylenol.com/product_detail.jhtml?id=tylenol/pain/prod_ss.inc&prod=subpss#
13. ↑ http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/children/main.inc
14. ↑ http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm168830.htm
15. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-362-acetaminophen+oral.aspx?drugid=362&drugname=acetaminophen+oral
16. ↑ http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/poison/acetaminophen-overdose/overview.html