Tylenol is a branded form of the pain relieving generic drug acetaminophen. It is also known as paracetamol in a few countries. Ever since its launch, this drug has gained universal acclaim due to its efficacy. The uses are many, including: treatment of migraines, cold, cough, body pain, muscular spasms, etc. On the other hand, levalbuterol is a bronchodilator prescribed for the case management and treatment of breathing problems – especially, those caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) such as asthma, bronchitis as well as bronchial asthma. Can you take these drugs – i.e., Tylenol and levalbuterol together? Also, what are the likely risks of drug interactions of levalbuterol? It is a vital thing to know more about these.
Drugs are known to interact with other meds when taken together. Drugs considered safe may sometimes turn harmful when they interact with fellow-drugs of the treatment plan. Hence, it becomes necessary to talk to your treating physician as well as pharmacist about possible risks of drug interactions. In this light, it becomes important to understand about the risks of taking levalbuterol – a bronchodilator, and a pain relieving drug known as Tylenol (also known as acetaminophen).
What is Tylenol?
Tylenol is a pain reliever, used for a wide range of conditions such as headaches, common cold, cough, flu, etc. It is also used for treating signs of allergic reactions. Its key chemical is acetaminophen or paracetamol. This drug is largely administered for its antipyretic as well as analgesic properties. As an extended use, this drug is consumed for managing cramping of muscles during menstrual periods and for treating a few autoimmune conditions such as arthritis, inflammation of joints, etc.
What is levalbuterol?
Bronchodilators such as levalbuterol hydrochloride help ease airways to make way for easy breathing. The dosage strength of this drug varies from one patient to another. In general, the dosage plan is influenced by your age, weight, how acute is your breathing condition, presence of other ailments, if any, etc. Active ingredients of levalbuterol provide faster relief from respiratory disorders by relaxing the tissues of air channels and lungs.
Interactions between levalbuterol and Tylenol
These two drugs – when co-administered – may cause a few unintended adverse reactions such as nausea, acid reflux (caused by gastric acids climbing up your food pipe), mental conditions like anxieties and / or hallucinations, pain in your joints, breathing conditions (gasping or panting for breath), increase in body temperature, etc. Those who are living with kidney conditions such as renal dysfunction (drop in urinary output, experiencing pains during urination, discolored discharge of urine, etc.) must tell their treating doctor of such prior conditions.
Also, those living with mental problems like mood shifts, depression, anxieties, being restless or aggressive, being confused, etc. must keep their caregiving team aware of all such conditions. In some cases, skin conditions such as frequent spells of itchiness, rashes on skin and discoloration of skin have been observed. Those with skin problems must not take this combinatorial treatment without the consent of your treating physician.
Pointers you need to stay aware of before starting to take Tylenol
Needful care is required as a few drugs may have acetaminophen in them. In such cases, you may trigger an overdosed condition without even knowing it. Upon sensing adverse reactions – for example, an acute pain in your abdomen, drop in appetite level, discharge of stools that resemble the color of clay, etc. – you need to tell your caregiving team of such effects on an urgent mode.
In some cases, signs of jaundice (discoloration of eyes and urine) may show up; these signs also need timely medical treatment. Delayed treatment plans may severely impair your hepatic function. If you are living with prior liver conditions such as inflammation / swelling of liver (hepatitis) or cirrhosis, your doctor and pharmacist must know of these pre-existing conditions. Also, those with a history of substance abuse or those who drink alcohol regularly must keep their doctor abreast of such lifestyle. It is recommended to reduce your daily intake of alcohol; in many cases, physicians recommend a complete stopping of these habits before you start taking acetaminophen / Tylenol.
Precautions to be followed prior to the use of Tylenol
You are advised to take a few precautions before starting a medication plan involving the intake of this analgesic drug. For example, if you are pregnant, your treating physician must know about your pregnancy. Pregnant women must never take this med without the consent of their doctor. Also, key ingredients of Tylenol are known to get into mother’s milk. Hence, women who are breastfeeding an infant must take needful medical advice prior to taking this antipyretic medicine. Last but not least, this drug is never given to children who are aged less than 2 years old.
For adults, its dosage strength is monitored while starting your treatment plan. Maximum dosage is limited to 900 milligrams i.e., 900 mg, as a single dose. Within a 24-hour timeline, dosage strength must never exceed 3,500 to 3,750 mg. Dosages administered onto children – especially those aged less than 13 years are in accordance to their body weight.
This drug is sold in multiple forms, namely liquid, chewable pills, granules that dissolve in water, pills, caplets as well as capsules. Intake of this antipyretic med can lead to falsified results of a few lab tests; mainly, those done to monitor blood glucose level. Hence, people living with diabetes mellitus or other blood sugar related conditions must tell their doctor of their medication plans. As an added safety measure, tell your treating physician of all the drugs you are currently taking. In the list of drugs you presently consume, care to add over the counter medications, prescription drugs, herbal aids, supplements – both dietary as well as supplements of minerals, vitamins and proteins.
Levalbuterol – Pointers to stay aware of
This bronchodilator is widely regarded as a safe medication. However, it can trigger a few discomforts when used with a select list of drugs. If your current treatment plan has prescriptions for using bronchodilators – such as metaproterenol, salmeterol, you must talk to your pharmacist / doctor of such medication plans. It is widely known that more than one form of bronchodilator – when taken together – triggers an overdose of epinephrine and a few other substances. Upon being overdosed, you may witness harmful side effects like giddiness, drying of skin, loss of coordination, swelling of body parts, extreme levels of drowsiness as well as dizziness.
Moreover, it can be a harmful to your system if you take this drug when there is no breathing difficulty or respiratory conditions. People who took levalbuterol without an underlying need witnessed a few dangerous side effects. These may include rapid pulse rates, tachycardia / erratic or faster beating of the heart and a marked increase in acid level.
Levalbuterol must not be taken along with any antimicrobial or antibiotic drugs such as ritonavir, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, amoxicillin, etc. Those who have had prior spells of hypersensitivity or allergies while using this drug must keep off from administering it. Owing to such risks, people who experienced a cardiac arrest in the last 2 years, and those living with chronic chest pain or spells of angina, faster heartbeats and hypertension, must make their doctor aware of all such prior conditions. As the intake of levalbuterol can cause a serious impairment of your renal function, those living with kidney problems (swelling of kidneys and pain while urinating) must stay cautious of using this drug. In all such cases, the dosage is moderated and the medication plan is pursued under the watchful eyes of a qualified clinical practitioner.
People who have periodic episodes of fits, convulsions or epileptic seizures need to take a few added precautions. It is not a good practice to start your medication plan without the consent of your doctor. This medication is rarely or never administered onto pregnant women. As the likely damage this med can cause to your fetus is not fully assessed or studied, caregiving teams do not prescribe it during pregnancy – regardless of the stage of your pregnancy. It is hence a safe practice to consult with your caregiving team and pharmacist if you are pregnant, and consume drugs that are safe for your health as well as your fetal wellbeing.
In the same vein, levalbuterol is considered safe for women who are currently nursing their new born baby. Active ingredients of levalbuterol are more likely to pass through mother’s milk. So, infants who took such milk may turn restless and cry more often, develop sleep-related problems and also witness feeding difficulties. It is a good practice to take needful advice from your doctor and / or pharmacist prior to commencing the use of levalbuterol onto women who are nursing an infant.
In sum, levalbuterol and Tylenol can trigger undesired side effects like acid reflux, mental problems like hallucinations, joint pains and a few respiratory problems like panting or wheezing. In some cases, an increase in body temperature accompanied by renal conditions has been observed. In a few users, this combinatorial treatment has caused mood swings, anxieties, depression, confusion, weird thoughts, etc. Last but not least, patients with skin conditions must refrain from this combinatorial treatment plan. For added details about likely risks of using levalbuterol along with Tylenol, you are advised to talk to your treating physician and pharmacist.
Education: Master’s in Clinical Nutrition from Tufts University. Experience: 6 years of experience as a registered dietitian and freelance writer, creating content on nutritional science and weight management for various health websites.
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