Tylenol is an over-the-counter medication used to treat mild to moderate pain and fever. It contains the active ingredient acetaminophen.
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Acetaminophen is one of the most common drug ingredients. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it’s found in more than 600 prescription and non-prescription drugs.
Acetaminophen may be added to medications used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including the following:
allergiesarthritisbackachescold and fluheadachesmenstrual crampsmigrainesmuscle achestoothacheIn this article, we’ll look at what’s considered a safe dosage, the signs and symptoms that could indicate an overdose, and how to avoid taking too much.
Can you overdose on Tylenol?
It’s possible to overdose on acetaminophen. This can happen if you take more than the recommended dosage.
When you take a normal dose, it enters your gastrointestinal tract and is absorbed into your bloodstream. It starts to take effect in 45 minutes for most oral forms, or up to 2 hours for suppositories. Eventually, it’s broken down (metabolized) in your liver and excreted in your urine.
Taking too much Tylenol changes the way it’s metabolized in your liver, resulting in an increase in a metabolite (a by-product of metabolism) called N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI).
NAPQI is toxic. In the liver, it kills cells and causes irreversible tissue damage. In severe cases, it can cause liver failure. This triggers a chain of reactions that can lead to death.
According to a 2016 literature review, liver failure caused by acetaminophen overdose causes death in approximately 28 percent of cases. Among those who have liver failure, 29 percent require a liver transplant.
Those who survive an acetaminophen overdose without needing a liver transplant may experience long-term liver damage.
What’s a safe dosage?
Tylenol is relatively safe when you take the recommended dose.
In general, adults can take between 650 milligrams (mg) and 1,000 mg of acetaminophen every 4 to 6 hours. The FDA recommends that an adult shouldn’t take more than 3,000 mg of acetaminophen per day unless directed otherwise by their healthcare professional.
Don’t take Tylenol for more than 10 days in a row unless you’ve been instructed to do so by your doctor.
The chart below contains more detailed dosage information for adults based on the type of product and the amount of acetaminophen per dose.
| Product | Acetaminophen | Directions | Maximum dosage | Maximum daily acetaminophen |
| Tylenol Regular Strength Tablets | 325 mg per tablet | Take 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours. | 10 tablets in 24 hours | 3,250 mg |
| Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets | 500 mg per caplet | Take 2 caplets every 6 hours. | 6 caplets in 24 hours | 3,000 mg |
| Tylenol 8 HR Arthritis Pain (Extended Release) | 650 mg per extended-release caplet | Take 2 caplets every 8 hours. | 6 caplets in 24 hours | 3,900 mg |
For children, the dose varies according to weight. If your child is under the age of 2, ask your doctor for the correct dose.
In general, children can take around 7 mg of acetaminophen per pound of their body weight every 6 hours. Children shouldn’t take more than 27 mg of acetaminophen per pound of their weight in 24 hours.
Don’t give your child Tylenol for more than 5 days straight unless you’ve been instructed to do so by your child’s doctor.
Below, you’ll find more detailed dosage charts for children based on different products for infants and children.
Product: Infants’ and Children’s Tylenol Oral SuspensionAcetaminophen: 160 mg per 5 milliliters (mL)
| Age | Weight | Directions | Maximum dosage | Maximum daily acetaminophen |
| under 2 | under 24 lbs. (10.9 kg) | Ask a doctor. | ask a doctor | ask a doctor |
| 2–3 | 24–35 lbs. (10.8–15.9 kg) | Give 5 mL every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 800 mg |
| 4–5 | 36–47 lbs. (16.3–21.3 kg) | Give 7.5 mL every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 1,200 mg |
| 6–8 | 48–59 lbs. (21.8–26.8 kg) | Give 10 mL every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 1,600 mg |
| 9–10 | 60–71 lbs. (27.2–32.2 kg) | Give 12.5 mL every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 2,000 mg |
| 11 | 72–95 lbs. (32.7–43 kg) | Give 15 mL every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 2,400 mg |
Product: Children’s Tylenol Dissolve Packs
Acetaminophen: 160 mg per packet
| Age | Weight | Directions | Maximum dosage | Maximum daily acetaminophen |
| under 6 | under 48 lbs. (21.8 kg) | Do not use. | Do not use. | Do not use. |
| 6–8 | 48–59 lbs. (21.8–26.8 kg) | Give 2 packets every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 1,600 mg |
| 9–10 | 60–71 lbs. (27.2–32.2 kg) | Give 2 packets every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 1,600 mg |
| 11 | 72–95 lbs. (32.7–43 kg) | Give 3 packets every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 2,400 mg |
Product: Children’s Tylenol Chewables
Acetaminophen: 160 mg per chewable tablet
| Age | Weight | Directions | Maximum dosage | Maximum daily acetaminophen |
| 2–3 | 24–35 lbs. (10.8–15.9 kg) | Give 1 tablet every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 800 mg |
| 4–5 | 36–47 lbs. (16.3–21.3 kg) | Give 1.5 tablets every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 1,200 mg |
| 6–8 | 48–59 lbs. (21.8–26.8 kg) | Give 2 tablets every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 1,600 mg |
| 9–10 | 60–71 lbs. (27.2–32.2 kg) | Give 2.5 tablets every 4 hours. See more: How Long Does A Honey Baked Ham Last In The Fridge, How Long Does A Honey Baked Ham Last | 5 doses in 24 hours | 2,000 mg |
| 11 | 72–95 lbs. (32.7–43 kg) | Give 3 tablets every 4 hours. | 5 doses in 24 hours | 2,400 mg |