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How Many Days Can I Take Tylenol?

Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is the most common household medication in the Untied States. Chemist David W. Young, while working with the Standard Oil Company of Ohio, invented Tylenol quite by accident; the compound had no affect on his project and was discarded after he applied for a patent. Years passed and Young sold his patent to Johnson & Johnson. McNeil Consumer Products, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, first introduced Tylenol in 1955. This was very important because this new medication could provide pain relief much like aspirin, but without the stomach upset.

  1. Days versus Quantity

    • Tylenol may be taken on a daily basis; it is the quantity and strength that makes all the difference. Extra Strength Tylenol contains 500 milligrams of acetaminophen, while the regular strength version has 350 milligrams. With the Extra Strength Tylenol, it is recommended that no more than eight, geltabs, gelcaps, caplets, or tablets be to be taken during a twenty-four hour period. Whereas the regular strength, twelve is the maximum in any twenty-four hour period.

    The Tylenol Advantage

    • Since acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol, it is unlikely to cause irritation of your stomach, which is known to be associated with aspirin and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID), like Naproxen or Ibuprofen. This is particularly beneficial if you suffer from stomach ulcers or other digestive problem.

    Words of Caution

    • Like any over-the-counter (OTC) medication, reading the directions for proper uses, side effects, and contraindications are paramount and should be followed very carefully. Like other OTC medications, Tylenol has a wide variety from which to choose such as, Tylenol Severe Sinus, Severe Allergy, Cold Head Congestion, children formulas, and a host of others. Due to this wide variety and selection, it is also recommended that you consult with your pharmacist and/or physician for advice on which product line is best for you.

      Acetaminophen can be extremely dangerous and may be fatal for persons who overdose on this medication, especially for those who are heavy drinkers of alcohol. Acetaminophen and regular alcohol abuse can lead to liver toxicity.

      Therefore, how many days may you take Tylenol? The final answer is highly dependent on many factors such as age, weight, amount of acetaminophen, type of Tylenol and other medications that you may be using. In all cases, consult with your Pharmacist and/or Physician for what would work best for you.

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