Acetaminophen is a generic drug that’s used to relieve pain and reduce fever in adults and some children. Generally, most people tolerate acetaminophen well. But rarely, it can cause serious side effects, such as liver damage.
Acetaminophen is available as the brand-name drug Tylenol.
Acetaminophen comes as an oral tablet, oral capsule, chewable tablet, oral liquid, and oral powder. Acetaminophen also comes in an injectable form and an over-the-counter (OTC) rectal suppository, but this article does not cover them.
Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of acetaminophen. For a general overview, including details about its uses, see this article on acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen is typically well-tolerated, and most people don’t experience side effects. Although rare, some people have experienced an allergic reaction to acetaminophen.
For more information, you can refer to acetaminophen’s label information for the oral tablet, oral capsule, chewable tablet, oral liquid, and oral powder. If you have side effects that don’t go away or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking acetaminophen and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
Acetaminophen may cause serious side effects, although this is rare. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to acetaminophen’s label information for the oral tablet, oral capsule, chewable tablet, oral liquid, and oral powder.
If you develop serious side effects while taking acetaminophen, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported include:
- liver damage (See “Side effect specifics”)
- skin reactions (See “Side effect specifics”)
ALLERGIC REACTIONFor some people, acetaminophen can cause an allergic reaction.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to acetaminophen, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Acetaminophen may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
Is acetaminophen safe for older adults?
Yes, acetaminophen is safe for older adults to take at approved dosages. In fact, acetaminophen is commonly recommended as the first drug to relieve pain in older adults. This is because it may have fewer side effects than other pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Although rare, the biggest concern with acetaminophen use in older adults is the risk of liver damage. It’s important not to take more than the recommended dosage of acetaminophen. If you have liver problems or other risk factors, be sure to tell your doctor. They may recommend taking a lower dosage.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about taking acetaminophen.
Can acetaminophen cause sleepiness?
No, it’s unlikely that acetaminophen alone causes sleepiness. Sleepiness has not been reported as a side effect of acetaminophen in the label information for the oral tablet, oral capsule, chewable tablet, oral liquid, or oral powder.
However, acetaminophen is often used in combination with antihistamines, including Tylenol PM and many cold and flu products. Some antihistamines are known to cause drowsiness, so you may experience some sleepiness when taking these products.
If you have additional questions about acetaminophen and sleep, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can acetaminophen raise your blood pressure?
Possibly. In acetaminophen’s prescribing information for the oral tablet, oral capsule, chewable tablet, oral liquid, or oral powder, there haven’t been any reports of increased blood pressure as a side effect of the drug.
However, a
People in the study took the maximum dose of acetaminophen (4,000 mg per day). The study only included people with high blood pressure. So it isn’t known whether acetaminophen increases blood pressure in people who don’t already have high blood pressure. Also, most people don’t take the maximum daily dose every day as people in the study did.
If you have high blood pressure and have questions or concerns about taking acetaminophen, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Learn more about some of the side effects that acetaminophen may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the label information for acetaminophen oral tablet, oral capsule, chewable tablet, oral liquid, and oral powder.
Liver damage
Liver damage is a rare side effect of acetaminophen. It typically only happens from taking too much acetaminophen.
The liver breaks down acetaminophen into several substances, which your body gets rid of by the kidneys. However, one of those substances can be toxic when taken in larger amounts. Taking too much acetaminophen can lead to a buildup of this harmful chemical in your system, which can cause severe liver damage.
Symptoms of liver damage may include:
- nausea or vomiting
- abdominal pain
- decreased appetite
- dark-colored urine
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes)
People who have liver disease or drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day while taking acetaminophen may also be at an increased risk of liver damage.
What you can do
Typically, acetaminophen taken at the recommended dosage doesn’t cause this side effect.
Be sure to pay attention to how much acetaminophen you’re taking, and do not take more than the recommended maximum daily dosage, which is 3,250 mg per day. However, some products may have different recommendations, so be sure to check the label of your specific product.
Keep in mind that some other OTC or prescription drugs may also contain acetaminophen.
If you notice symptoms of liver damage, talk with your doctor right away. If you think you’ve taken too much acetaminophen, contact a Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical care immediately. If you feel you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Skin reactions
Acetaminophen can cause rashes or serious skin reactions, although these are rare. Sometimes, a skin rash can be a sign of a serious skin reaction, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. These reactions can occur at any time during treatment with acetaminophen.
Symptoms of a serious skin reaction may include:
- skin redness or discoloration
- rash that peels or blisters
What you can do
If you develop a skin rash while taking acetaminophen, even if it’s mild, stop taking it and talk with your doctor right away. Serious skin reactions can turn serious quickly. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment for your rash.
Before taking acetaminophen, discuss your health history with your doctor. Acetaminophen may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
- liver disease
- taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin
- previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- alcohol consumption
Note: Do not take acetaminophen for more than 10 days for pain or more than 3 days for fever unless your doctor says it’s okay to do so. Children 12 years of age and younger should not take acetaminophen for more than 5 days without medical advice.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
