Tylenol, the brand name for acetaminophen, is an over-the-counter drug used for temporary relief of headaches, backaches, common cold, menstrual cramps, muscular aches, arthritis pain, toothache and fever reduction. Taking the right dosage and for no longer than the specified duration ensures safety against drug overdose.
Dosage
Do not take more than the directed dosage according to age classification. Adults and children 12 years and older can take two capsules every 4 to 6 hrs and no more than 8 capsules in a 24-hour period.
How Many Days Can You Take Tylenol?
Tylenol can be taken up to 10 days when treating pain and 3 days for reducing fevers. If pain or fever gets worse, then it is advised to discontinue taking Tylenol and consult a doctor.
Alcohol Usage with Tylenol
Consult a doctor if you consume three or more alcoholic beverages a day or have suffered alcoholic liver disease. The interaction of alcohol and Tylenol can be detrimental to the liver, and possibly fatal.
Tylenol and Liver Damage
Too much acetaminophen ingestion can cause liver damage. A person taking Tylenol may also take other medications to treat conditions such as allergies that contain acetaminophen. What is important to note is that that can be a way of consuming too much acetaminophen without realizing it. Some common over-the-counter medicines that contain acetaminophen include Benadryl, Sudafed, Vicks, Robitussin, Nyquil, Excedrin and Contac.
Pregnancy and Tylenol
Tylenol is FDA approved as a Category B drug, meaning it will not harm an unborn baby. However, acetaminophen does pass through breast milk, so you should consult a doctor when breastfeeding.
Stop Usage with Signs of Overdose
When used as directed, Tylenol is generally safe. However, there are certain symptoms to look out for that can indicate an overdose, in which case you should stop taking Tylenol immediately. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sweating, extreme fatigue, unusual bleeding or bruising, stomach pain, yellowing of skin or eyes, flu-like symptoms and diarrhea.
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