Tylenol Uses (Cont.)

How Does Tylenol Work?

Even though Tylenol has been around for quite a while, it is not fully understood exactly how it works. It is known that Tylenol works differently from any other non-prescription medication. Most other non-prescription pain relievers or fever reducers are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Both NSAIDS and Tylenol block the body's production of prostaglandins (naturally occurring chemicals which cause inflammation and fever). However, while NSAIDS block prostaglandin production throughout the body, Tylenol appears to do so just in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Tylenol may also work by blocking pain signals from nerves (or preventing such signals from forming).
 

Tylenol Use in Children

Tylenol is approved to treat fevers and minor aches and pains in children and infants (see Children's Tylenol and Infant Tylenol for more information). Unlike aspirin, Tylenol can be used in children with chickenpox.

 

Off-Label Tylenol Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Tylenol for something other than the uses discussed in this article. Using Tylenol to treat migraines is considered an off-label use.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;