Do you want to start your day or go to sleep with a stabbing pain? Of course not!
So what to do? Well, you turn to over-the-counter drugs as pain remedies. And Tylenol is currently one of the most popular pain relief drugs. How you take Tylenol matters. But can you take Tylenol on an empty stomach?
Yes, you can take Tylenol on an empty stomach. But it’s recommended that you take the pill with at least a glass full of water. The main ingredient, acetaminophen, is gentler on your stomach than NSAIDs like Ibuprofen. Nevertheless, water will help acetaminophen absorb quickly and adequately.
Before you take Tylenol next time, keep in mind the four most common but effective factors. Wondering what they are? We have covered them all here. Stay put to know everything about the drug and whether you should take it with or without any food.
Table of Content
- 1 Tylenol on An Empty Stomach: Can You Take It?
- 1.1 Water Is A Key Factor
- 1.2 Empty Stomach Means More Efficiency Sometimes
- 1.3 Ingredients Have An Effect on Stomach
- 1.4 You Can’t Ignore Diphenhydramine
- 2 Interaction of Food with Tylenol
- 2.1 Food With High Pectin
- 2.2 Cruciferous Vegetables
- 2.3 Hibiscus Tea
- 3 Can You Take Tylenol Extra Strength Without Food?
- 4 Can you take Tylenol every day?
- 5 Possible Uses for Tylenol
- 6 Contraindications to the Use of Tylenol
- 6.1 Liver Issues
- 6.2 Tylenol With Alcohol
- 6.3 Blood Thinning Medications
- 6.4 Other Acetaminophen Drugs
- 7 Side-Effects Associated with Tylenol
- 8 Tylenol Dosage Recommendations
- 9 Best Way to Take Tylenol
- 10 What’s the Difference Between Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen?
- 11 FAQs
- 11.1 Is it OK to take TYLENOL without food?
- 11.2 Is TYLENOL more effective on an empty stomach?
- 11.3 Can you take TYLENOL or ibuprofen on an empty stomach?
- 11.4 Can TYLENOL upset your stomach?
- 12 Take Aways
Tylenol on An Empty Stomach: Can You Take It?
Now you already know what to do with Tylenol if you have an empty stomach. It’s not that severe like taking Xanax on empty stomach.
But a few factors are essential to consider if you want quick and correct results from the painkiller. Let me explain them in detail.
Water Is A Key Factor
When you wake up with pain, you may ask can I take Tylenol on an empty stomach. It is important to note that this is different than asking can you eat Tylenol without water. If you decide to chew on Tylenol to increase the absorption rate, I recommend not doing that.
If you search for Tylenol on empty stomach Reddit, you will notice that many people report no severe side effects. This is because acetaminophen empty stomach administration is well tolerated in most people. In fact, some people report enhanced efficacy. Is it true?
Let’s see what happens when you take Tylenol on an empty stomach in this scenario.
Empty Stomach Means More Efficiency Sometimes
When food is in your stomach, it acts as a diluent for any drugs you take. In addition to absorbing the chemicals in the Tylenol, your digestive system also needs to ensure it absorbs any nutrients found in the food you consume.
Taking acetaminophen on an empty stomach means this drug will be the only compound in your stomach and some water. It means Tylenol on an empty stomach may help your body absorb the acetaminophen more effectively and quickly. And it will work faster.
So, is it bad to take Tylenol on an empty stomach? In most cases, it’s not.
Ingredients Have An Effect on Stomach
Taking Tylenol arthritis on an empty stomach will not have the same outcome as regular Tylenol. The dose for Tylenol Arthritis tends to be higher than the regular one.
Additionally, the Arthritis version uses an extended-release capsule. This means the entire dose of acetaminophen is not released immediately. Instead, the chemicals get released into your stomach slowly – over a period of eight hours.
You Can’t Ignore Diphenhydramine
Similarly, the ingredients used in the Tylenol PM drug are different too.
The main ingredient in Tylenol PM is Diphenhydramine. This is a type of antihistamine often used to treat allergy symptoms. Diphenhydramine is also an effective drug for people with a cold, and the chemical can offer relief of high fever symptoms. Since the drug causes drowsiness and sleepiness, some people use it to sleep better at night.
Diphenhydramine is not particularly hard on the stomach, but some people experience side effects. In particular, stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea are all side effects linked to this antihistamine.
When taking the drug on an empty stomach, you may be more likely to experience the side effects.
Since some Tylenol products can irritate the stomach, always take a closer look at the ingredients label. For example, Tylenol’s stomach ulcer effects are not well documented. Since the drug can cause an upset stomach, it is better to avoid drinking the medication on an empty stomach if you have an ulcer.
Interaction of Food with Tylenol
If you take Tylenol on an empty stomach, the effectiveness will be far better. However, what happens when you take it with food. A few types of food either reduce or negatively affect the drug.
Food With High Pectin
Potatoes, beans, carrots, and tomatoes are high in pectin. They can be great for glowing skin or a healthy digestive system but not that friendly for Tylenol.
The pectin in these foods somehow interferes with the absorption of acetaminophen in Tylenol. It is not clear how they hamper the absorption, but scientists have found reduced effectiveness of acetaminophen in a high-pectin environment.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Are you a big fan of broccoli, cabbages, or Brussels sprouts? If yes, then you need to avoid them while taking Tylenol. Like any pectin-rich food, cruciferous vegetables also hamper acetaminophen absorption in your body.
However, some cabbages can offer remedies for all sorts of stomach issues. Click here to know more.
Hibiscus Tea
Yes, you read it right. The soothing compounds in the Hibiscus can negatively affect the impacts of Acetaminophen. If you take Tylenol after taking a cup of Hibiscus tea, expect some slower outcomes.
Like any regular Tylenol, you can take Tylenol Extra without food, aka on an empty stomach. As Tylenol Extra has more potency than the regular ones, doctors recommend you have it either with water, shakes, or simply with any light food.
It is unlikely to have any adverse side effects of Tylenol Extra taken on an empty stomach. But it is better to be cautious instead of getting into any trouble.
Can you take Tylenol every day?
Yes, you can use Tylenol every day if your doctor prescribes it. If you take regular Tylenol, the safest maximum dosage is 4 grams (4000 milligrams) per day. In the case of Tylenol Extra Strength, it’s 3 grams (3000 milligrams) per day.
And you can take them on an empty stomach. However, I will recommend having them with a glass of water.
Possible Uses for Tylenol
When talking about Tylenol, people generally think about the pain-relieving benefits as it is generally a pain medication. However, the brand now has additional drugs available too.
Tylenol Extra Strength is highly effective for people who have a more significant level of pain. The medication contains a higher dose of acetaminophen.
Tylenol Sinus is one particular option that has become quite popular. This drug contains the same chemicals as other OTC medications available under the Tylenol brand. But Phenylephrine HCI is added to relieve symptoms associated with the sinus. Phenylephrine HCl is highly effective at improving sinuses and can help with congestion.
Tylenol Sleep is yet another option for cold relief and sleep. This drug has ingredients that help to improve sleep. Many people who experience insomnia due to pain reach relief through Tylenol Sleep.
Contraindications to the Use of Tylenol
Tylenol may be an excellent option for quick fever and pain relief, but you have to be careful about a few instances. Medical professionals found some particular scenarios when you should not use Tylenol or any types of acetaminophen.
Liver Issues
If you have a dysfunctional liver, it’s better to avoid Tylenol. Acetaminophen can cause severe hepatotoxicity leading to severe hepatic impairment.
Tylenol With Alcohol
Alcohol and Tylenol can be a fatal combination for your liver. If someone consumes more than three alcoholic beverages per day, taking Tylenol can be catastrophic.
Blood Thinning Medications
If you are using a blood thinner like Warfarin, Tylenol can cut its effectiveness to half. So, it is better to avoid combining Tylenol with Warfarin.
Other Acetaminophen Drugs
Exceeding Tylenol’s safe dosage limit (3 to 4 grams per day) can be fatal for your liver. So, if you are already on any acetaminophen drugs, it is recommended not to use Tylenol. Physicians prescribed only one type of acetaminophen drug to take.
Side-Effects Associated with Tylenol
When asking is it ok to take Tylenol on an empty stomach, it is essential to consider the potential side effects. Most people can tolerate Tylenol better compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Some patients also turn to Tylenol to avoid interactions with the prescription medications they are taking. Still, there are some side effects reported among people who use Tylenol.
Some of the most common side effects that people experience when they use Tylenol include:
- Nausea, but it is rare for the person to vomit
- Stomach upset and pain
- Some people have a lost their appetite
- Rashes and itching have been reported
- Urine can become darker than normal
- There are reports of stool becoming a clay color
There are reports of jaundice as a side-effect among people who use Tylenol with kidney problems. However, this is very rare. The risk increases when the person uses a higher dose than recommended.
There can be severe side effects, including large rashes, significant dizziness, and breathing difficulties. Seek immediate medical attention if you face any of them.
Additionally, itching and swelling in the throat, tongue, or face may be signs of an allergic reaction. When you develop an allergy to any particular drug, serious complications can develop. There are countermeasures that a doctor can take, which is why you should always be on the lookout for these more severe side effects.
Tylenol Dosage Recommendations
The dose of Tylenol to take depends on your situation. Start by considering which Tylenol variant you take. This may include the standard option or Tylenol Extra Strength. The brand also offers a selection of other drugs that can help with sleep or sinus.
The dose for each type differs. It is also essential to consider the severity of your situation. More severe pain may need a higher dose of Tylenol to ensure you can experience an effective level of relief.
A single dose of Tylenol should not exceed 650mg in most cases. Most people take a dose between 325 and 650mg of acetaminophen.
Regardless of how many doses are taken, you should never exceed four grams of acetaminophen in 24 hours. This can lead to more severe side effects.
Best Way to Take Tylenol
The main question is whether one should take Tylenol with food or on an empty stomach. The answer depends on a couple of factors.
First of all, consider the type of Tylenol you are using. When asking if one can take Tylenol PM on an empty stomach, it might be better to avoid this type of administration because the active ingredients can be a bit harsh on your stomach.
On the other hand, the answer may differ when asking is terrible to take acetaminophen on an empty stomach. The main Tylenol drug only contains acetaminophen. Most people can easily tolerate the medication, even when they do not have food beforehand.
A person should also consider how sensitive they are to drugs. Some people do experience Tylenol on empty stomach nausea. In these cases, you should consider eating something before taking the drug instead. Even though the drug tends to be more effective when taken without food, it is better to be safe.
It would help if you also considered any conditions you have that may increase the risk of side effects. For example, people with gastrointestinal problems might want to avoid taking any medication on an empty stomach.
Apart from asking if I take Tylenol with an empty stomach, we also need to consider the dosages. Make sure you always start with the lowest dose to relieve your symptoms.
Do not exceed a dose higher than 650mg at a single time. Rather divide a larger dose into multiple servings throughout the day. You should wait about four to six hours before having your next dose of Tylenol.
Always ensure you take the drug with a full glass of water. This helps with the transportation of the chemicals in your digestive tract. It also reduces the effects that some chemicals in Tylenol can have on your stomach lining.
What’s the Difference Between Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen?
The main difference between Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen is their usage. Ibuprofen is used for pain relief and inflammation, whereas acetaminophen can only handle pain.
However, Ibuprofen has more severe side effects than acetaminophen. People face stomach bleeding, edema, or even heart attack while using Ibuprofen. There may be kidney issues or liver dysfunction due to the excess use of acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen interacts with more drugs than any Ibuprofen. So it would be best if you were more vigilant while using acetaminophen. It’s always better to talk to your doctor before starting either of them.
FAQs
Is it OK to take TYLENOL without food?
Yes, it is entirely ok to take Tylenol without food. The drug is usually not rough on the stomach. Thus, many people can safely take Tylenol without eating something first. It is, however, essential to note that you should take the drug with a full glass of liquid. Many find that they are more likely to experience side effects when taking Advil on empty stomach.
Is TYLENOL more effective on an empty stomach?
Tylenol is more effective on an empty stomach. Those who do not experience side effects when taking Tylenol on an empty stomach are advised to do so. When there is no food in your stomach, the chemicals in the drug absorb easily. This can help to improve the efficiency of the medication.
Can you take TYLENOL or ibuprofen on an empty stomach?
You can take Tylenol on an empty stomach but not Ibuprofen. When comparing Tylenol and ibuprofen, particularly taking the drug on an empty stomach, Tylenol is gentler on the stomach. Contrarily, Ibuprofen can hurt your gastrointestinal tract. When asking if one can take ibuprofen on an empty stomach, some scenarios would be appropriate. For fast relief over a concise term, you can consider this. Consider taking an antacid that contains magnesium with ibuprofen.
Can TYLENOL upset your stomach?
Taking Tylenol on an empty stomach should not cause problems in most people. It is, however, essential to note that some do experience some side effects. Thus, when asking if you can take acetaminophen on an empty stomach, consider if you have had sensitive reactions to medications.
There are some cases where a person experiences nausea or bowel movements when they take the drug without any food.
Take Aways
Taking Tylenol on an empty stomach is safe and possible. But you need to have it with water for better absorption and quicker result.
You need to keep in mind a few other things while taking this acetaminophen OTC. ANd I am sure you get a clear idea about those. So, keep your drugs safe and use them safely and, of course, according to the doctor’s prescriptions.
Dr Ahmed Zayed
Dr. Ahmed Zayed holds a baccalaureate of Medicine and Surgery. He has completed his degree at the University of Alexandria, Egypt. Dr. Ahmed believes in providing knowledgeable information to readers. Other than his passion for writing, Dr. Ahmed spends his time outside the hospital, either reading or at the gym.