Mixings meds?

Question

I bought tylenol extra strength gels. They contain Acetaminophen and say son the back "Do not use with any other product containing Acetaminophen." I took 5 of those today. I also bought Nyquil cold and flu gelcpaps. It contains Acetaminophen and also says on the back "Do not use with any other product containing Acetaminophen." I want to take them before i go to bed because i'm sick! What is acetaminophen? Is it dangerous? Should i mix the 2 meds?

Answer 1

Acetaminophen is the same as Paracetamol.- a medicine for pain and fever (analgesic/antipyretic). The recommended dosage of acetaminophen or paracetamol in adults is two 500mg tablets (1gm ) every four to six hours, not exceeding eight tablets (4 gms) within 24 hours.

The metabolites of acetaminophen can cause liver damage. Over dosage can be fatal from liver toxicity. Proper use within the recommended dose is highly advised. That is the reason why any acetaminophen-containing medicine includes the warning "Do not use with any other product containing Acetaminophen" for the precaution of taking an excessive dose.

Tylenol gelcap I believe contains 500 mg acetaminophen. While NyQuil Liquicaps contain 325 mg of acetaminophen each capsule. (NyQuil adult recommended dose is 2 capsules).

Since you already took 5 caps for the day, you can take 2 NyQuil caps but not the Tylenol. If you want to take Tylenol, do not take 2 NyQuil - (you will have an increased acetaminophen dosage in one time.) If you feel you really need to take BOTH, then take 1(one) GELCAP OF TYLENOL and 1 (one) LIQUICAP OF NYQUIL -NO MORE than that. Never take 2 of each at the same time.

Note that NyQuil also contains dextromethorphan which is a cough suppressant and it also contains an antihistaminic which will make you a bit drowsy or sleepy.

Have lots of fluids and warm drinks if you got colds and flu, that would help a bit. Hope you feel better soon.

Answer 2

Acetaminophen was the active ingredient in Tylenol before they expanded into selling "Tylenol This" and "Tylenol That." It's a decent analgesic and antipyretic.
The total dose of acetaminophen that is safe for an average adult is 4 grams. How you mix and match to get there is your business, but the warning is there to keep you from overdosing accidentally.
You've begun to get smart to the game the drug companies are playing. Too bad you wasted money on the Nyquil before you started getting your education. Nyquil contains a nearly useless decongestant, an antihistamine that may be a little sedative but has no other use, and the liquid at least has the decency to give you a little alcohol, which you capsules of course don't. They're next to useless.
The educated consumer stays away from multi-ingredient cold remedies. If you want acetaminophen, take a cheap, generic acetaminophen. If you want to take an oral decongestant, you should research them a bit first, and if you still want to try one, get generic pseudoephedrine and risk having people think you're running a meth lab. If you want something sedative to help with your cold symptoms, grandma's old whiskey and honey mix works as well as anything (again, assuming you don't overdose!). You should understand that these drugs are old, so they don't have to prove effectiveness to be sold. The FDA doesn't have authority, because of a "grandfather clause" in the laws that control the FDA.

Answer 3

Acetaminophen is an anti-inflammatory that is hepatotoxic - toxic to your liver. The highest short-term daily dose of acetaminophen the average human body can reasonably tolerate is 4 grams daily. It is dangerous to take more than 4 grams of acetaminophen daily. Do NOT mix the 2 meds.

Answer 4

a couple of extra doses, not too many of course, wont kill you or put you in a hospital, but you are giving your liver extra work. If you make it a habit of course youre going to have liver problems and all sorts of illnesses.