Tylenol Side Effects
Side effects of Tylenol (acetaminophen) include nausea, stomach pain, headache, hoarseness, loss of appetite, itching, rash, dark urine, clay-colored stools and swelling of the face, throat, tongue or limbs. Seek medical attention if you experience serious Tylenol side effects.
Latest Side Effects Information for Tylenol and Generic Acetaminophen
The Tylenol brand carries 30 products using the same active ingredient called acetaminophen.
As of the latest data published on Dec. 31, 2023, drug toxicity — having too much acetaminophen in a person’s system — and overdoses were two of the common serious acetaminophen and Tylenol side effects reported to the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) database.
Tylenol toxicity can lead to serious liver damage.
Cases | Tylenol & Tylenol Extra Strength | Total Acetaminophen |
---|---|---|
Total cases reported | 27,322 | 142,466 |
Serious cases (including deaths) | 14,227 | 111,160 |
Deaths | 1,865 | 32,810 |
Regular-strength Tylenol carries a liver warning and an overdose warning. The daily dosage is limited to no more than 10 tablets in 24 hours for adults and five tablets for children under 12. Do not give Tylenol or other acetaminophen to a child under six without consulting a doctor.
Common Tylenol Side Effects
Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen and paracetamol, is generally safe at recommended doses. Nausea is the most common mild side effect, affecting approximately 34% of users.
- Anemia
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Itchiness
- Leukopenia (having a low number of white blood cells in circulation)
- Metabolic and electrolyte imbalances
- Nausea
- Nephrotoxicity (a poisonous effect on the kidneys)
- Neutropenia (low levels of disease-fighting white blood cells, leaving you susceptible to infection)
- Pancytopenia (deficiency of red and white blood cells and platelets)
- Skin rash
- Sweating
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
Vomiting is the second most common side effect after nausea, impacting 15% of studied users. Approximately 5% of people in clinical trials reported vomiting.
Liver Damage From Tylenol
Published research shows acetaminophen is the most common drug-related cause of acute liver failure. Typically, Tylenol and other acetaminophen products are broken down by the liver and eliminated in urine. However, a byproduct of the drug can be toxic to the liver.
As of the beginning of 2024, the FAERS database had received 3,445 reports of acute liver failure, 2,190 reports of liver injury and 1,190 reports of liver disorder related to Tylenol and other acetaminophen products.
The safe daily limit of acetaminophen for healthy adults over 150 pounds is 4,000 mg, but prolonged use at this level can damage the liver, according to Harvard Medical School. It’s best to take the lowest effective dose, not exceeding 3,000 mg daily. Consult your doctor before taking high doses for chronic pain.
“Prolonged daily use may increase the risk of liver damage,” Trent Carter, FNP-BC, CARN-AP, told Drugwatch. “Continuous use beyond recommended durations can elevate the likelihood of adverse effects.”
Liver damage risk also varies based on sex, age and health status.
How Acetaminophen Causes Liver Failure
When Tylenol breaks down in your body, it produces a toxic substance called NAPQI that can damage liver cells. If you suspect that you or someone you know has taken too much Tylenol, it’s essential to seek medical help right away to prevent severe liver damage.
When someone takes too much Tylenol or other acetaminophen, it can severely damage their liver. Doctors may pump the stomach, give N-acetylcysteine to block the medication’s absorption or, in severe cases, perform a liver transplant.
“Their liver may never work like before. They will constantly complain about having chronic liver inflammation or scarring — cirrhosis,” Jessica Plonchak, executive clinical director at ChoicePoint Health, told Drugwatch.
Tylenol Overdose Signs and Symptoms
Serious cases of acetaminophen overdose can result in acute liver failure.
“If you or a loved one is displaying signs like persistent nausea or vomiting, sudden disinterest in food, drowsiness and severe pain in the upper abdomen or stomach then beware, as these signs may indicate an overdose,” Plonchak said.
Acetaminophen overdose symptoms may not appear immediately and can take up to 24 hours, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Keep track of when you took Tylenol or other acetaminophen and the form taken — tablets, capsules or liquid.
- Phase 1: Occurs in the first 24 hours after ingesting too much acetaminophen. People usually experience nausea, tiredness (fatigue), anorexia, vomiting, paleness (pallor) and excessive sweating (diaphoresis).
- Phase II: Occurs about 24 to 72 hours after ingestion. Symptoms may include right upper quadrant abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. People may also experience a fast heartbeat and low blood pressure.
- Phase III: Begins about 72 to 96 hours after ingesting Tylenol. Symptoms of liver failure or liver damage include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), bleeding (coagulopathy) and loss of brain function from toxins. Multiple organ failure and death may also occur at this stage.
- Phase IV: Applies to those who survive Phase III. This time in recovery lasts from four days up to three weeks, during which the symptoms resolve.
The Cleveland Clinic reports that about 50,000 ER visits annually are because of acetaminophen overdose or toxicity. Acetaminophen overuse also causes 1,600 cases of acute liver failure and 500 deaths annually in the U.S. According to UCI Health, it’s also the top reason for poison control center calls.
Does Tylenol Present an Autism and ADHD Risk?
There were 685 FAERS reports mentioning acetaminophen in relation to autism spectrum disorder, and 299 FAERS reports of ADHD as of the start of 2024. However, the jury is still out on whether Tylenol taken during pregnancy creates a risk of autism and ADHD in offspring.
A 2019 study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy could increase the risk of ADHD and ASD in children. A 2022 study published in the journal Cureus also found taking acetaminophen during pregnancy may increase the chances of autism and attention/hyperactivity symptoms in children.
While studies suggest a link between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism/ADHD, researchers have found no conclusive evidence, according to government and medical organizations. The FDA, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine state that the evidence is inconclusive and caution against firm conclusions.
Pregnant individuals should consult with doctors before limiting necessary acetaminophen use, as avoiding it may have risks.
Rare Allergic Skin Reactions
Acetaminophen is generally safe. Still, in rare cases, it contributes to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Approximately 5.2% of SJS and TEN cases are linked to acetaminophen. The FDA identified the link in 2013 and warned that all three reactions can be fatal.
- Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
- TEN is a life-threatening condition that causes the skin and mucous membrane to peel off extensively, leading to sepsis and death. It was first described in 1956 as a skin eruption resembling scalding.
- Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis
- This is a common acute rash with fever and small pustules on a red background, according to the National Cancer Institute.
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- SJS is similar to toxic epidermal necrolysis. Approximately 80% of SJS cases are caused by medications. SJS causes the skin and sometimes the mucous membranes to peel off and may cause other symptoms throughout the body. Both SJS and TEN involve detached skin, but they are distinguished based on the amount of skin affected.
Genetic variations can heighten an individual’s risk, emphasizing the importance of informed medical decisions and awareness among patients and physicians.
Can Tylenol Cause High Blood Pressure?
Tylenol and other acetaminophen products are known to cause blood pressure in some people, according to the National Library of Medicine.
There were 890 FAERS reports of increased blood pressure and 489 reports of decreased blood pressure after taking acetaminophen at the start of 2024.
The regular use of Tylenol and other acetaminophen can increase blood pressure, leading to heart problems and stroke, according to a 2022 study published in the journal Circulation. The study’s authors wrote that it’s essential to be cautious when using acetaminophen, especially if you are at risk for heart disease or stroke.
Talking to your doctor about reducing your dose or finding alternative ways to manage pain can be helpful.
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