Pains caused due to toothache, headaches, discomforts caused during menstrual periods, etc. can often be unsettling. You may also experience pains due to autoimmune conditions such as arthritis, osteoarthritis as well as internal swelling/inflammation. It is essential to take painkilling drugs at the very first instance – i.e., as soon as you experience the first stabs of pain. Those who wait for the pain to subside on its own may encounter worsened spells of discomfort. In this milieu, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is commonly used for the management of a wide range of pains. But, can you take amoxicillin along with Tylenol? It is important to know more about this.
Short-term use of pain management drugs such as acetaminophen / Tylenol is prescribed for treating pains as well as fever. Use of this drug can bring about needful relief from muscular pains, migraines/headaches, cramping of muscles during menstrual periods, and for treating flu or common cold. Acetaminophen or Tylenol belongs to a class of meds known as analgesics due to their pain-reducing properties; this drug can also be categorized as antipyretics owing to its capability to reduce fever. The chief function of this drug is to alter the way your body senses pain; the key chemicals produce a cooling effect to alleviate most of the discomforts.
Tylenol is available in multiple forms – namely, pills, chewable pills, capsules as well as a liquid-based suspension. In terms of its mode of action, the drug is made as a long-acting or extended-release variant and also as an immediate-release form. Though this med may be procured without a prescription from a medical professional, it is highly recommended to take it under the supervision of a qualified caregiver. Meds made for adults must never be given to children. For younger patients, the dosage form is maintained at a low level, and separate child-friendly versions are indeed widely available. The dose of Tylenol for children depends on their body weight, age, gender as well as the presence of prior clinical conditions if any.
What is amoxicillin and what is it mainly used for?
Antibiotic meds are taken to arrest the spread of bacterial growth; once the spread is stopped, you are likely to witness a reduction in infection (along with its side effects). Of the many forms of antibacterial/antibiotic drugs, penicillin-based meds are quite popular owing to their efficacy as well as ease of availability. Amoxicillin is one such antibiotic med, taken for a wide range of infections – mainly those caused by bacterial strands. This med is largely ineffective when taken for treating viral infections or conditions such as flu, etc.
At times, your abdominal region may see an excessive presence of bacterial strands – chiefly, a strand called H. pylori. An imbalanced presence of this strand is likely to cause intestinal problems – such as ulcers, rupture of inner linings of duodenum, stomach, etc. The signs of this condition include pain in the abdomen, indigestion, nausea, vomiting as well as cramping of muscles. In such conditions and also to prevent a possible relapse of ulcers (which were once treated), amoxicillin is widely recommended.
This antibacterial drug can be consumed before or after your meal. For better results, this med is taken once every 7 to 9 hours. However, no two people with bacterial infections are given the same levels of dosages. Dosage plan (and its strength) varies based on the severity of your clinical condition, body weight, gender, age, and medical history of prior ailments. It is recommended to continue taking amoxicillin all through your medication plan; people who stopped taking the drug after seeing some initial relief often witnessed a relapse of the medical condition. It is hence advisable to talk to your treating doctor about when to discontinue this drug.
Can you take amoxicillin along with Tylenol?
It is a common practice to take these two drugs together. There are no major side effects or adverse drug interactions when these two are co-administered. However, prescribing doctors may advise you to provide a time interval of at least 30 minutes in between these 2 doses. However, if you are living with liver disorders such as say, cirrhosis of the liver or hepatitis (inflammation), it is not safe to take Tylenol.
Intake of acetaminophen (either in a generic form or as a branded variant) is likely to cause severe damage to your liver. The signs are often distinct; you may notice a sudden drop / inexplicable reduction in appetite levels, loss of body weight, and discoloration of the skin and/or eyes. Upon sensing other discomforts such as pain in the upper part of your abdomen, incessant spells of nausea or change in sense of taste, etc., it is highly recommended to talk to your caregiving team without much delay.
Your caregiving team must be updated on the drugs you are currently consuming or if you are pursuing any treatment plans. It is a safe practice to make a list of all the drugs – including, over-the-counter drugs, prescription meds, herbal meds, vitamins or protein supplements, dietary aids, etc. Once you have shared the list, never make changes to it – i.e., without informing your treating doctor/pharmacist.
Though no known interactions or adverse reactions between Tylenol and amoxicillin are recorded, there are likely to be some minor interactions. So, stay watchful of any changes – however small/minor – your body may experience. Make it a point to note such changes and consult with your treating physician. If you witness any persistent spells of side effects, seek medical help on an emergency basis. People living in a Canadian province may contact a poison control center or call Health Canada. Those who are residents of the US may call the helpline of the food and drug administration (FDA) or can reach out to 911 to seek needful medical help.
In sum, there are no major side effects / adverse reactions when amoxicillin is taken with Tylenol. Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug while Tylenol – i.e., acetaminophen is a pain-reducing med. But, a gap of 30 to 45 minutes can be provided in between doses. If you are witnessing side effects like abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting, change in appetite/sense of taste, etc., consult with your doctor/pharmacist in an urgent mode.
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from New York University. Experience: 5 years of experience writing for physiotherapy and sports medicine blogs, providing expert insights on injury prevention and rehabilitation.
