Tylenol how many times a day

This is measured in milligrams mg. Adults and children 12 years and over should take 2 tablets, caplets, gelcaps, or tablespoons every 6 hours as needed with no more than 6 tablets, caplets, or gelcaps in 24 hours. Extra strength Tylenol should not be taken for more than 10 days unless directed by a healthcare provider. Take no more than 6 Extra Strength Tylenol per day. The maximum allowable daily dose of Tylenol acetaminophen is 3 grams 3, mg in adults.

For children it is recommended to carefully read the packaging and to consult your healthcare provider for proper dosage. In , the makers of Tylenol lowered the maximum allowable daily dose of Tylenol from 4 grams 4, mg to 3 grams 3, mg to encourage safe usage. The generic name for Tylenol is acetaminophen. Ingestion of too much acetaminophen can be deadly because it can be toxic to the liver.

If you have to take Tylenol or acetaminophen for more than just a day or two, consult with your healthcare provider about the source of pain or fever. Please remember that pain or fever are symptoms or signs of illness, respectively. Acetaminophen may provide some immediate relief but is not a long-term cure or solution.

Acetaminophen overdose is one of the most common overdoses throughout the world. Because acetaminophen Tylenol and other formulations is sold over the counter, many people incorrectly think that it's absolutely safe.

Always follow the label and take only one medicine containing the same active ingredient at a time. Knowing your pain relievers is important and can reassure you of the safety and efficacy of Tylenol when used as directed. As with all medications with active ingredients, bad things can happen when you take too much Tylenol. Specifically, the following symptoms can occur if you take too much acetaminophen:. Symptoms of acetaminophen overdose can take 12 or more hours to manifest.

If you or a loved one suspects acetaminophen overdose, it's imperative to go to the emergency room as quickly as possible. Too much acetaminophen is harmful to the liver. Liver damage secondary to ingestion of too much acetaminophen can either be acute short-term or chronic long-term.

Depending on how much acetaminophen was digested and how quickly a person receives treatment eight hours or fewer , a person can recover from acute acetaminophen overdose.

The strength of Tylenol you decide to purchase is based on your personal preference. Don't forget to ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist for their best recommendation. Extra Strength Tylenol is relatively inexpensive. Of course, generic acetaminophen should be cheaper in all categories. The key is to be aware of how much acetaminophen you are consuming.

Yin recommends that consumers look at all the medications they are taking, and tally up the total amount of acetaminophen consumed on an average daily basis to make sure the total dose is under the three-gram-a-day limit.

It is better to err on the side of caution. Yin recommends looking for opportunities to reduce drug intake when possible.

For example, if a cold or flu product is meant to treat fevers, runny noses and congestion, but you only have a runny nose, choose a product that only treats the runny nose, rather than the combination product. I recommend opting instead for an acetaminophen-free sleep aide. Drinking alcoholic beverages should also be avoided. Beyond acetaminophen and alcohol, there are other potentially liver-injuring drugs and supplements that should be used with caution, including:.

The chart below contains more detailed dosage information for adults based on the type of product and the amount of acetaminophen per dose. 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.

Call or poison control right away if you suspect you, your child, or someone you know took too much Tylenol. Early treatment is associated with lower mortality rates in both children and adults. Treatment for a Tylenol or acetaminophen overdose depends on how much was taken and how much time has passed. If less than an hour has passed since the Tylenol was ingested, activated charcoal may be used to absorb the remaining acetaminophen from the gastrointestinal tract.

When liver damage is likely, a drug called N-acetyl cysteine NAC may be given orally or intravenously. When used as directed, Tylenol is safe for most people. However, you should speak to your healthcare provider before using Tylenol if you have any of the following conditions:. Tylenol may pose some risks to people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Be sure to speak to your healthcare provider before taking a Tylenol product. Tylenol can interact with other medications.

Overuse of acetaminophen probably happens more often than you think. This is due to acetaminophen being a common ingredient in many types of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Acetaminophen overdoses are responsible for approximately 56, emergency room visits each year in the United States. Around 50 percent of acetaminophen overdoses are unintentional.

If you suspect someone is at risk of using Tylenol to harm themselves or has used Tylenol to harm themselves:. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, reach out to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at or text HOME to for help and support. Taking too much Tylenol can cause permanent liver damage, liver failure, and, in some cases, death. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol.