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What Does Tylenol Contain?

Tylenol is a widely used, over-the-counter pain medication. The active ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen. Like any other medication, Tylenol should only be taken as recommended.

  1. Function

    • The acetaminophen contained in Tylenol is known as an analgesic and antipyretic. This means that it can be used to treat and provide relief from mild to moderate pain and inflammation.

    Applications

    • Tylenol can be taken to relieve pain associated with colds, headaches, muscle aches, toothaches, arthritis, backaches, fever and menstrual cramps.

    Dosing

    • The average recommended dose of Tylenol, or acetaminophen, for adults and children over 12 years of age should not exceed 4,000 milligrams within a 24-hour span. Tylenol can be taken with or without food.

    Warnings

    • Consumers should never ingest more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen, as this can lead to liver damage and other health problems.

    Advantages

    • Opposed to other pain relievers that contain aspirin or ibuprofen, Tylenol's acetaminophen is less likely to lead to stomach irritation after being ingested. Acetaminophen is unlikely to negatively interact with other medications if taken as recommended.

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