Having fever or pain is definitely not a pleasant situation. Most people cannot bear the pain and need instant-acting medication. Therefore, the consumption rate of over-the-counter OTC painkiller medication is quite high.
There are many over-the-counter pain-relieving medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen, aspirin, etc. Some of them have a hard action on the stomach and one should take them along with food like ibuprofen.
If you want to use Tylenol you might be thinking that Tylenol is also intense on the stomach, Can you take Tylenol on an empty stomach, or can it cause harmful effects? Don’t stress out since in this article we will answer all your queries related to Tylenol.
What is Tylenol
Tylenol is a medicine used for relieving fever and pain. acetaminophen is the API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) for Tylenol. It is an over-the-counter drug which means you do not need to show a prescription to the pharmacist to buy this medicine.
How Tylenol works in the body
Tylenol performs its antipyretic and antibiotic properties due to its active ingredient acetaminophen. Acetaminophen inhibits the COX Pathway in the central nervous system.
It elevates the pain threshold in the body due to which your body feels less pain and causes numbness. It also reduces minor body pain and aches. Tylenol eliminates excessive heat from the body thus lowering the body temperature.
How long does it take for Tylenol to start working?
It depends on the formulation and how much time Tylenol will take to start performing. For example, when you take a drug orally, it reaches the stomach, dissolves, and gets absorbed into the lining of the intestine. Through which it is transferred to the bloodstream and starts performing its action.
The time duration Tylenol takes to start working also depends on whether you have taken the medicine on an empty stomach or not. Tylenol performs its action very quickly when you take it on empty stomach.
Following are the timing when Tylenol starts working according to Dosage forms
- Extended-release oral tablets take about 30 to 45 minutes to perform their action.
- Oral Tylenol liquid or disintegrating tablet takes 20 minutes to perform its function.
- Intravenous Tylenol injections take only 5 to 10 minutes to perform their activities in the body.
Is Tylenol bad for your stomach?
Tylenol is different from other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs since it does not cause any harmful effects on the stomach. While other drugs like ibuprofen can cause ulcers and stomach bleeding.
NSAIDs have a mechanism of action by blocking some cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes in the body. By blocking COX enzymes body can develop the risk of stomach issues like bleeding and ulcers. However, Tylenol is among those NSAIDs that also have an impact on COX enzymes that protect the inner stomach lining.
Like other NSAIDs, Tylenol does not have anti-inflammatory properties. It only has antipyretic and analgesic properties which have no connection with stomach enzymes.
Can you take Tylenol on an empty stomach?
Yes! you can take Tylenol without consuming any food. Make sure you drink it with a full glass of water. There is no harm in eating Tylenol on an empty stomach because compared to other NSAIDs it has a gentle effect on the stomach lining.
If you want Tylenol to work fast then you should take it on empty stomach. Since food particles in the stomach slow down the absorption process. Take an accurate dose of the medication to prevent any kind of adverse effect.
Advantages of taking Tylenol
Following are the major uses and advantages of taking Tylenol
- It provides relief from mild to moderate pain like headache, muscle ache, menstrual and pain
- It reduces fever
- It is safe from the rest of the anti-inflammatory medicines. It causes no ulcer or stomach bleeding
- Acetaminophen is a safe option for heart patients since it has no impact on the cardiovascular system
- Many heart patients take aspirin on a regular basis which is also an NSAID. Tylenol does not have any drug interaction with aspirin.
Side effects of Tylenol
Following are some of the major side-effects of Tylenol
- Upper right side stomach pain
- Swelling of face lips, tongue, or throat
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Difficulty in breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Irritation and rashes on the skin
If you notice any of the above-mentioned side effects or any other adverse effects discontinue the medication. If the intensity of side-effect is high immediately call your doctor or reach the emergency.
Bottom line
Tylenol is a fever and pain relief medicine used on both adults and children. It does not have an intense effect on your stomach like other NSAIDs. You can Take Tylenol on empty stomach to speed up its action.
