Tylenol Warnings and Precautions

To help minimize risks, make sure you are aware of Tylenol warnings and precautions before taking the drug. For example, you should not treat yourself for a fever for more than 3 days or pain for more than 10 days. Prior to taking Tylenol, make sure to let your healthcare provider know if you have liver disease, G6PD deficiency, or any allergies.

 

Tylenol: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Tylenol® (acetaminophen) if you have:
 
  • Liver disease, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatitis
  • G6PD deficiency
  • Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
 
  • Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Drink alcohol regularly.
     
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Specific Precautions and Warnings for Tylenol

Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking Tylenol include the following:
 
  • Tylenol can damage the liver. Therefore, if you already have liver problems, you should talk to your healthcare provider before taking Tylenol.
     
  • If you drink three or more alcoholic beverages per day, your body may not handle Tylenol as well as it should. This means that you may develop Tylenol toxicity at lower dosages than normal. If you drink alcohol regularly, do not take Tylenol without talking to your healthcare provider (see Tylenol and Alcohol).
     
  • Tylenol can interact with other medications (see Tylenol Drug Interactions for more information).
     
  • You should not treat yourself for a fever for more than 3 days or pain for more than 10 days. You may have a serious problem that requires medical attention. Also, contact your healthcare provider if your pain or fever gets worse or if swelling is present.
     
  • Tylenol may increase the risk of serious problems in people with G6PD deficiency (a low amount of a certain enzyme in the body). If you have a G6PD deficiency, do not take Tylenol without your healthcare provider's approval.
     
  • Some people who are allergic to salicylates (such as aspirin) may also be allergic to Tylenol. However, many people with such allergies can take Tylenol without any problems.
     
  • Tylenol is considered a pregnancy Category B medication. This means that it is probably safe for use during pregnancy (see Tylenol and Pregnancy).
     
  • Tylenol passes through breast milk. However, it is generally considered safe for breastfeeding women and their infants (see Tylenol and Breastfeeding).
     
(Tylenol Warnings and Precautions Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;