Tylenol Side Effects Center

What Is Tylenol?

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer) used for treating pain and fever associated with many conditions. Tylenol is available in generic form and over-the-counter (OTC).

What Are Side Effects of Tylenol?

Side effects of Tylenol include:

• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• loss of appetite,
• itching,
• rash,
• headache,
• dark urine,
• clay-colored stools,
• or jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes).

Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a rare serious allergic reaction to Tylenol, including:

• rash,
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat),
• severe dizziness,
• or trouble breathing.

Dosage for Tylenol

The oral dose of Tylenol for adults is 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours. The maximum daily dose is 4 grams.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Tylenol?

Tylenol may interact with antibiotics, antifungals, sulfa drugs, tuberculosis medicines, birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, blood pressure medication, cancer medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, gout or arthritis medications (including gold injections), HIV/AIDS medications, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or seizure medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Tylenol During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Tylenol is used in all stages of pregnancy and is the drug of choice for short-term treatment of fever and minor pain during pregnancy. Although Tylenol is excreted in breast milk in small quantities, it is safe to be used by nursing mothers.

Additional Information

Our Tylenol Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal, even if you took acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Stop taking acetaminophen and call your doctor at once if you have signs of liver problems:

• stomach pain (upper right side);
• loss of appetite;
• tiredness, itching;
• dark urine, clay-colored stools; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.