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Tylenol

(acetaminophen)

In this factsheet:
• How does Tylenol work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use Tylenol?
• What form(s) does Tylenol come in?
• Who should NOT take Tylenol?
• What side effects are possible with Tylenol?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for Tylenol?
• What other drugs could interact with Tylenol?

DIN (Drug Identification Number)

Feeling under the weather?

Could your symptoms be signs of the flu?

Answer a few quick yes-or-no questions to help get you on the road to diagnosis and recovery!

Do I have the flu?

Results

 1  2  3 

START

Are you experiencing...

• sudden onset of fever or
• sudden onset of cough

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• sore throat
• body or muscle aches
• chills
• headache
• runny or stuffy nose
• poor appetite
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Do you belong to any of the following groups?

• people 65 years old or over
• children under 5 years old
• pregnant women
• people who are obese
• people living in a long-term care facility or nursing home
• people with any of the following medical conditions:
  • asthma
  • cancer
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
  • diabetes
  • heart disease
  • kidney disease
  • weakened immune system (e.g., HIV/AIDS)

YES YES      NO NO

It's unlikely that you have the flu.

You may have the flu.

You probably have the flu.

But you do have at least 1 risk factor that puts you at risk of flu complications. If you do experience any flu symptoms, talk to your doctor or visit a walk-in clinic as soon as possible.

And you may also have at least 1 risk factor that put you at risk of flu complications.

Talk to your doctor or visit a walk-in clinic if your symptoms concern you or if they get worse.

Talk to your doctor or visit a walk-in clinic as soon as possible.

Enter your postal code to find a clinic near you:  

Know the flu basics and how you can protect yourself and your family.

NOTE: If your symptoms still concern you, speak to your doctor or go to a walk-in clinic as soon as possible.

Flu complications include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, or worsening of existing chronic conditions

If your doctor prescribes an antiviral medication, start the medication within 48 hours after your symptoms begin. Antivirals, when started within 48 hours after symptoms begin, can help relieve flu symptoms and make the flu less severe.

Home treatment options for the flu include getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, treating symptoms (such as using a pain reliever for body aches and fever), and avoiding contact with others.

Other treatment options for the flu include home treatments like getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, treating symptoms (such as using a pain reliever for body aches and fever), and avoiding contact with others.

Get the facts about the 2 main types of medications used to treat the flu and home treatments you can try.

If you experience any of these severe symptoms, seek medical help right away:

• shortness of breath, rapid or difficulty breathing
• chest pain
• bluish or grey skin colour
• bloody or coloured mucus/spit
• severe or continuous vomiting
• sudden dizziness or confusion
• high fever that's lasted more than 3 days
• low blood pressure
• stiff neck, sensitivity to light

Other resources about flu:

• Flu myths: busted
• In the battle arena, who will win: You or the flu?
• Your personal doctor discussion guide

How does Tylenol work? What will it do for me?

Acetaminophen belongs to a group of medicines called analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers). It works quickly to relieve pain caused by conditions such as headache and osteoarthritis, and to reduce fever caused by infection. Unlike acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), which is also an analgesic and antipyretic, acetaminophen does not reduce inflammation.

Acetaminophen is used by itself as well as in combination medication products for cough, cold, and pain relief.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use Tylenol?

Acetaminophen can be used by all age groups in recommended doses.

Children (general): 10 to 15 mg per kg of body weight, every 4 to 6 hours, to a maximum of 65 mg/kg in 24 hours. Children should not take more than 5 doses in 24 hours unless advised by a doctor. For children under 6 months of age, consult a doctor.

Adults: 325 mg to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours to a maximum of 4,000 mg in 24 hours.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without talking to your doctor. Always take acetaminophen exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

This medication is generally used as needed for pain or fever, except in the case of osteoarthritis and some other chronic conditions, when it is often taken on a regular basis in order to keep pain under control. In these circumstances, if you miss a dose of this medicine and you remember within an hour or so of the missed dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you do not remember until it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

When used for self-medication of pain, acetaminophen should not be used for longer than 10 days by adults or 5 days by children unless advised by a doctor.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

This medication is available under multiple brand names and in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms listed here. The forms available for the specific brand you have searched are listed under "What form(s) does this medication come in?"

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does Tylenol come in?

Adults

Caplets

Regular Strength 325 mg
Each elongated, capsule-shaped white tablet, engraved "TYLENOL" on one side and "325" on the other side, contains acetaminophen 325 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose, cornstarch, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, and sodium starch glycolate. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Extra Strength 500 mg
Each elongated, capsule-shaped white tablet, engraved "TYLENOL" on one side and "500" on the other side, contains acetaminophen 500 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose, cornstarch, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, and sodium starch glycolate. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Gelcaps

Extra Strength 500 mg ("Rapid Release")
Each solid, capsule-shaped tablet, coated with red gelatin on one end, blue gelatin on the other end, a gray band between the two gelatin-coated ends, printed "TY" on one gelatin-coated end and "500" on the other gelatin-coated end, contains acetaminophen 500 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylparaben, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, cellulose, corn starch, FD&C Yellow No. 10, edetate calcium disodium, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 40, gelatin, hypromellose, iron oxide black, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, magnesium stearate, methylparaben, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, propylparaben, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium propionate, sodium starch glycolate, and titanium dioxide. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Extended Release

ARTHRITIS PAIN 650 mg
Each elongated, white extended release tablet, engraved "TYLENOL ER" on one side, contains acetaminophen 650 mg (325 mg immediate release acetaminophen and 325 mg delayed release acetaminophen in a slow dissolving matrix). Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, cellulose, cornstarch, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide, and triacetin. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Muscle Aches & Body Pain
Each elongated, white extended release tablet, engraved ''TYLENOL ER'' on one side, contains acetaminophen 650 mg (325 mg immediate release acetaminophen and 325 mg delayed release acetaminophen in a slow dissolving matrix). Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, cellulose, cornstarch, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide, and triacetin. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Tablets

Regular Strength 325 mg
Each round, white tablet, engraved "TYLENOL" one side and "325" the other side, contains acetaminophen 325 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose, cornstarch, magnesium stearate, and sodium starch glycolate. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Extra Strength 500 mg ("eZ TABS")
Each round, red, sweet-coated tablet, printed with "TYLENOL 500", contains acetaminophen 500 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, cellulose, cornstarch, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 6, hypromellose, iron oxide black, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, stearic acid, sucralose, and titanium dioxide. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Children

Tablets

Children's Tylenol
This medication is available as a 80 mg tablet.

Junior Strength 160 mg
This medication is available as a 160 mg tablet.

Junior Strength Fastmelts 160 mg
This medication is available as a 160 mg tablet.

Bubblegum Burst Flavour
Each pink, 5/8" round troche tablet with characteristic bubblegum odour, debossed with "TY" over "160" on one side, contains acetaminophen 160 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose acetate, citric acid, FD&C Red No. 7, dextrose, flavour, magnesium stearate, povidone, and sucralose. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Grape Punch Flavour
Each purple, 5/8" round troche tablet with characteristic grape odour, debossed with "TY" over "160" on one side, contains acetaminophen 160 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose acetate, citric acid, FD&C Red No. 7, FD&C Red No. 30, dextrose, FD&C Blue No. 1, flavour, magnesium stearate, povidone, and sucralose. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Suspension

Children's 160 mg/5 mL (Banana Berry Twist)
Each 5 mL contains acetaminophen 160 mg in a pink liquid vehicle with a strawberry-banana flavoured taste. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylparaben, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, cellulose, citric acid, corn syrup, FD&C Red No. 40, flavour, glycerin, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sorbitol, and xanthan gum. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Children's 160 mg/5 mL (Bubblegum Burst)
Each 5 mL contains acetaminophen 160 mg in a dark pink liquid vehicle with a bubble gum-flavoured taste. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylparaben, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, cellulose, citric acid, corn syrup, FD&C Red No. 33, FD&C Red No. 40, flavour, glycerin, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sorbitol, and xanthan gum. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Children's 160 mg/5 mL (Grape Punch)
Each 5 mL contains acetaminophen 160 mg in a purple liquid vehicle with a grape-flavoured taste. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylparaben, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, cellulose, citric acid, corn syrup, FD&C Red No. 33, FD&C Blue No. 1, flavour, glycerin, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sorbitol, and xanthan gum. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Suspension Drops

Infants' 80 mg/mL (Cherry)
Each mL contains acetaminophen 80 mg in a red liquid vehicle with a cherry-flavoured taste. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylparaben, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, cellulose, citric acid, corn syrup, FD&C Red No. 40, flavour, glycerin, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sorbitol, and xanthan gum. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Infants' 80mg/mL (Dye Free White Grape)
Each mL contains acetaminophen 80 mg in a white to off-white liquid vehicle with a grape-flavoured taste. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylparaben, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, cellulose, citric acid, corn syrup, flavour, glycerin, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sorbitol, and xanthan gum. Gluten-, lactose-, and tartrazine-free.

Who should NOT take Tylenol?

Do not take this medication if you:

• are allergic to acetaminophen or any ingredients of the medication
• have liver disease caused by acetaminophen

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