Tylenol (acetaminophen) is commonly used to manage pain and control a fever.
Prednisone is a prescription medication that reduces swelling, irritation, and inflammation associated with a wide range of conditions.
Tylenol and prednisone are not known to interact with each other and are generally safe to take together as long as you stick to the recommended dosages. However, they can interact with other drugs.
Read on to learn more about when you can take Tylenol with prednisone and what precautions you should take.
Tylenol is one of the most popular medications in the United States. It’s estimated that about
Prednisone is only available by prescription and falls into a class of medications known as corticosteroids. These kinds of drugs can help lower inflammation in the body.
What is Tylenol used for?
Acetaminophen works by blocking chemicals in your brain that carry pain signals. Tylenol and other forms of acetaminophen are commonly used to relieve fever and pain caused by conditions such as:
What is prednisone used for?
Prednisone is only available by prescription and is used to treat a variety of conditions by reducing inflammation and suppressing immune system activity.
Some of the common conditions doctors prescribe prednisone for include:
- allergies
- autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis
- blood disorders
- infections
- some skin diseases
- some cancers
- preventing organ rejection after transplant
Tylenol and prednisone are not known to interact with each. They’re generally safe to take together, as long as you don’t take more than the recommended dosages. It’s important to follow the instructions on the packaging or the instructions given to you by your doctor.
In general, it’s best to only take one new medication at a time to see how one drug affects you before taking another. It’s also a good idea to check with a healthcare professional anytime you combine medications.
Although taking Tylenol and prednisone together is not known to cause any negative interactions, they can interact with some other medications.
Tylenol isn’t the only medication that contains acetaminophen. Many other medications contain acetaminophen, too.
That’s why it’s important to check the labels of any other medication you’re taking to make sure they don’t contain acetaminophen. If they do, you could be taking more acetaminophen than the recommended daily dosage.
Some other drugs that contain acetaminophen include:
Tylenol is known to interact with many types of medication. Some of these interactions can cause severe complications. That’s why it’s a good idea to always talk with your doctor before combining Tylenol with other medications.
Some classes of drugs Tylenol is known to interact with include:
- local anesthetics (bupivacaine, chloroprocaine, etc.)
- rheumatoid arthritis medications (leflunomide)
- medications that lower cholesterol (lomitapide)
- anticancer drugs (pexidartinib)
- mipomersen
- multiple sclerosis medication (teriflunomide)
- sodium nitrite
Prednisone is known to interact with hundreds of types of drugs. Some of the drugs that it may interact with include:
- aminoglutethimide
- amphotericin B injections
- anticholinesterase agents
- anticoagulants
- antidiabetic medications
- antitubercular drugs
- CYP3A4 inducers and inhibitors (ketoconazole, barbiturates, phenytoin, etc.)
- cholestyramine
- cyclosporine
- digitalis glycosides
- estrogens and oral contraceptives
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including Aspirin
- potassium-depleting agents (diuretics, amphotericin B, etc.)
- vaccines
Most people do not experience any side effects when they take the recommended dose of Tylenol. Rarely, people develop an allergic reaction that can cause symptoms such as:
- blisters
- hives
- itchiness
- swelling of your tongue, lips, face, or throat
- trouble breathing and swallowing
Taking more than the recommended dose of Tylenol can lead to liver damage. Acetaminophen is responsible for an estimated
Symptoms of liver damage can include:
- brown urine
- dark stools
- fatigue
- jaundice (yellow eye whites and skin)
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- pain in your upper right abdomen
- pale skin
- sweating
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- vomiting
The risk of prednisone side effects increases with how much you take.
Common
- weight gain
- digestive problems
- insomnia
- restlessness
- sweating more than usual
Less common side effects include:
- cataracts
- high blood sugar
- high blood pressure
- increased appetite
- increased risk of infection
- osteoporosis
- poor wound healing
- suppression of adrenal hormones
- swelling
- weak skin
In rare cases, it’s also possible to develop a severe allergic reaction to prednisone.
When taking Tylenol, it’s a good idea to:
- Check your other medications for acetaminophen when calculating your daily dosage.
- Follow the instructions on the label or the instructions given to you by your doctor.
- Not exceed the daily limit written on the label. According to the manufacturers of Tylenol, the maximum daily dose for single-ingredient Extra Strength Tylenol sold in the U.S. has been lowered from 4,000 mg to 3,000 mg.
- Minimize alcohol consumption and avoid consuming more than three drinks per day.
- If you’ve had liver disease, check with a healthcare professional before taking Tylenol.
When taking prednisone, it’s a good idea to:
- Tell your doctor if you have a known allergy to any other medications.
- Tell your doctor about all the prescription and nonprescription medications you’re taking, including vitamin and herbal supplements.
- Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning on getting pregnant.
- Stay away from people who are sick — prednisone can make you more prone to infection.
- Tell your doctor if you have a current eye infection or any chronic infections.
- Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccinations.
Tylenol and prednisone are generally safe to take together and are not known to interact with each other. However, both medications can interact with other types of drugs.
It’s important not to take more than the recommended maximum dosage of either medication. Consult with your doctor or healthcare professional before combining Tylenol or prednisone with new medications or supplements.