Searching for an over-the-counter medication for your back or neck pain? Tylenol, or acetaminophen, may be a possibility. Here are a few of the basics.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pain-590602038-5a5eb41deb4d5200379900b5.jpg "Should You Take Acetaminophen or Tylenol for Back Pain? (1)")
Acetaminophen, the Active Ingredient
The active ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen. Categorized as an analgesic, acetaminophen is an over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and reduce fever. Acetaminophen is found in many other pain medications besides Tylenol, including Excedrin, Vanquish,and Aspirin-Free Anacin. Acetaminophen is also available in generic form, as well as in combination with other drugs.
Acetaminophen is neither an opioid (i.e., narcotic pain reliever) nor an NSAID (anti-inflammatory.) Because of this, it may allow you to avoid side effects and/or complications that make other pain medicines impractical as choices. That said, acetaminophen does come with the risk of liver toxicity.
What It Does
Tylenol is used for short-term pain relief for mild to moderate pain, and to temporarily reduce fever. You might consider taking this medication for back or neck pain due to muscle ache and/or arthritis.
Even though acetaminophen is widely used, it may not relieve low back pain as well as you think. A 2015 review and meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal found high-quality evidence that taking it does notresult in lumbar spine pain relief.
How Tylenol Works for Back Pain
Tylenol affects the central nervous system. It works by reducing the amount of brain chemicals that excite pain signals. It also exerts a cooling effect by inhibiting the prostaglandins that play a role in the brain’s heat-regulating center.
Forms of Acetaminophen
Tylenol and acetaminophen come in tablet form. This includes extended release tablets, capsules, and liquid or drop form. You can take Tylenol with or without food. It also comes as a suppository.
Side Effects and Complications
The Tylenol label warns that taking acetaminophen can cause liver disease.Because of this, the label says, if you take more than 3 drinks every day you should talk to your healthcare provider about also taking acetaminophen.
The BMJ study mentioned above also found high-quality evidence that people who take paracetamol (which is another name for acetaminophen) every day are almost 4 times as likely to have abnormal liver function test results than those who took a placebo pill. Just the same, the authors say that the clinical relevance of the abnormal liver tests are unclear.
Allergy to acetaminophen and/or other ingredients in the medication is possible. If you have a known allergy to any of the ingredients listed on the box, don’t take this medication. If you're unsure, talk to your healthcare provider.And if you do have an allergic reaction after taking acetaminophen, seek medical attention immediately.
Health Conditions and Other Medications
If you take blood thinners (anticoagulants), for example Coumadin (warfarin), seizure medication, especially Tegretol (carbamazepine), Dilantin(phenytoin), or phenobarbital, phenothiazines, INH(isoniazid), or other pain, fever, or cough or cold medication, be sure to ask your healthcare provider if it is OK to also take Tylenol orother acetaminophen.
According to the Hepatitis C Project, the active ingredient in Tylenol, acetaminophen, can be found in approximately 200 other medications. As mentioned above, the range for a safe dosage of Tylenol is very narrow. This means that if you take more than one medication, it is essential to read the labels for each one of them to be sure that you are getting acetaminophen only once. The risk of overdose effects is amplified if you drink or have chronic alcoholism orother liver disease.
Storage
Many people store medications, including Tylenol, in their bathroom medicine chest, or in the kitchen, near the faucet. But to keep this medication in good working order, it is best to store it away from heat and moisture. Keep the pills in the bottle it came in, and make sure the bottle is tightly closed.
It is very important to keep Tylenol and other acetaminophen products away from a child’s reach, as taking it inappropriately can do irreparable harm.
If your Tylenol is outdated or you no longer need it, throw it away. But first, ask your pharmacist the proper way to do so.
Dosage
Although it is widely used, Tylenol works in a very narrow margin of safety. If you take too much, your liver may become toxic very quickly. Unfortunately, the amount of Tylenol that causes liver toxicity is different from person to person, and some researchers think that problems can occur at the dosage amount listed on the label. This is especially true if you drink or have chronic alcoholism. If you are at all unsure how much Tylenol or acetaminophen to take, or if you should take it at all, ask your healthcare provider.
If your practitioner has you taking Tylenol regularly and you miss a dose, take as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for the next dose, just wait. In any case, don’t double dose.
Over Dosage
Taken in proper doses, acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol utilizes a chemical “pathway” in the liver to break down the medication and metabolize it. When you take more than you should, the chemical pathway gets overwhelmed, as if there were too much “traffic” in the pathway. When this happens, medication molecules are rerouted to a different chemical pathway. The alternate route breaks the drug down differently than does the primary route; one of the big differences between the chemical pathways is that the alternate route creates toxic by-products that kill liver cells.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information. Acetaminophen.
Machado GC, Maher CG, Ferreira PH, et al. Efficacy and safety of paracetamol for spinal pain and osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo controlled trials. BMJ. 2015;350:h1225. doi:10.1136/bmj.h1225
MedlinePlus from NIH US National Library of Medicine. Acetaminophen.
Mazaleuskaya LL, Sangkuhl K, Thorn CF, Fitzgerald GA, Altman RB, Klein TE. PharmGKB summary: pathways of acetaminophen metabolism at the therapeutic versus toxic doses. Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2015;25(8):416-26. doi:10.1097/FPC.0000000000000150
Additional Reading
- Acetaminophen. Drugs.com. Jan 2008.
Acetaminophen. Medline Plus. Rumack, B. Acetaminophen misconceptions. Hepatology.
(Video) Tylenol Back Pain Relief Medicine Review 2020 (Reduces Back Pain?)Kuffner, e. Dart, R. Bogdan, G., Hill, R. Casper, E. Darton, L. Effect of maximal daily doses of acetaminophen on the liver of alcoholic patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Intern Med
Kuffner, E. et al. The effect of acetaminophen (four grams a day for three consecutive days) on hepatic tests in alcoholic patients–a multicenter randomized study BMC Med. 2007 May 30;5:13.
Machado, G., PhD., et. al. Efficacy and safety of paracetamol for spinal pain and osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomisedplacebo controlledtrials. BMJ
Seirafi, M., Iten, A., Hadengue, A. Acetaminophen: hepatotoxicity at therapeutic doses and risk factors. Rev Med Suisse.
Van Mil, A., Janssens, A. Acetaminophen use by chronic alcohol abuser: a therapeutic dose may be too much for the liver. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd.
- Buck, M., Pharm D. FCCP, FPPAG. Intravenous Acetaminophen Use in Infants and Children. Medscape website.
- Dart, R., Baily, E. Does therapeutic use of acetaminophen cause acute liver failure? Pharmacotherapy. 2007 Sep;27(9):1219-30.
- Franciscus, A. Highleyman, L. Acetaminophen and Your Liver HCSP Fact Sheet.HepititsC Support Project.
- Larson, A. Clin Liver Dis. 2007 Aug;11(3):525-48, vi. Related Articles, Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.
- Polson J, Lee WM. AASLD position paper: the management of acute liver failure.
- Teater, D., M.D., Evidence for the efficacy of pain medications.National Safety Council.
By Anne Asher, CPT
Anne Asher, ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach, and orthopedic exercise specialist, is a back and neck pain expert.
See Our Editorial Process
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?
FAQs
Should You Take Acetaminophen or Tylenol for Back Pain? ›
During back-pain flare-ups, you may also need an over-the-counter pain reliever to help you through. Doctors often suggest you first try acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) because it is gentler on the stomach, even though NSAIDs tend to work better for back pain.
Which pain reliever is best for back pain? ›- Best for fast back pain relief: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) ...
- Best for all day/night back pain relief: Naproxen (Aleve) ...
- Best for back pain relief if you can't use NSAIDs: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ...
- Best topical back pain option: Diclofenac gel (Voltaren gel, Aspercreme gel)
Yes, acetaminophen is the same as Tylenol. Acetaminophen is the generic name for the brand name medication Tylenol, made by McNeil Consumer. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever for mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, muscles aches, backache, and toothaches, and fevers.
What Tylenol is best for back pain? ›TYLENOL® Back Pain caplets contain effective pain relief plus a muscle relaxant to relieve and relax painful back muscles. For effective relief of: Back pain. Muscle spasms.
Which is better for back pain ibuprofen or Tylenol? ›As you may have guessed from the descriptions above, acetaminophen is best used for fever, aches and pains, but will not be very helpful if the pain is due to inflammation. Ibuprofen is more helpful for these symptoms when inflammation is the cause.
What is the fastest way to relieve back pain? ›Exercise has been found to be one of the most effective ways to relieve back pain quickly. Try swimming, walking, or yoga.
What is the safest medication for back pain? ›Acetaminophen is generally considered safer than other pain relievers. It doesn't cause side effects such as stomach pain and bleeding.
Why do hospitals recommend Tylenol instead of ibuprofen? ›Hospitals tend to prefer acetaminophen (Tylenol) as a fever reducer and pain reliever because it has fewer side effects than ibuprofen (Advil).
Why do doctors recommend Tylenol instead of ibuprofen? ›Since acetaminophen works on the pain pathway, it still helps with these problems—but it may not work as well as ibuprofen. However, since acetaminophen is usually safer to take than NSAIDs, it is often recommended to try to use acetaminophen first.
What's the difference between Tylenol and acetaminophen? ›“Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer,” Reeder says. “Tylenol is the brand usually associated with over-the-counter acetaminophen.” While Tylenol's only active ingredient is acetaminophen, there are hundreds of other medications that include acetaminophen.
Can I take Tylenol every day for back pain? ›
Is it harmful to take Tylenol every day? In short, no — most people can safely take Tylenol within recommended doses every day.
How fast does Tylenol work for back pain? ›by Drugs.com
The approximate length of time it may take before you notice a reduction in your pain if Tylenol is taken on an empty stomach are: Orally disintegrating tablets, oral Tylenol liquid: 20 minutes. Oral tablets, extended-release tablets: 30 to 45 minutes. Intravenous acetaminophen: 5 to 10 minutes.
In general, the oral forms of Tylenol take up to 45 minutes to start working. But the effervescent (dissolving) tablets may work faster — they take about 20 minutes.
Why don't painkillers help my back pain? ›If you have been dealing with lower back pain, your doctor may have advised you to take painkillers to ease the pain. But new research has suggested that popping a painkiller might worsen acute pain and make it last longer, turning it into chronic pain.
Is heat or ice better for back pain? ›Generally speaking, ice is better than heat for back pain that may be caused by an acute injury. The Cleveland Clinic says that, in the battle of back pain, “Ice wins to shut down swelling, inflammation and pain early on where heat may actually make an injury worse.”
What is the best way to sleep if your lower back hurts? ›The best sleeping position for lower back pain is on your side with a partial bend in the knees. View Source . Keeping the knees bent helps balance the body and reduces pressure on the lumbar spine. Many people find it helpful to put a small pillow between their knees to make this position more comfortable.
Is it better to sit or lay down with lower back pain? ›If you're experiencing back pain when sitting, your impulse may be to lie down and then try to slowly progress back to sitting, says Dr. Atlas. But this is the wrong approach. You should lie down to relieve the pain, but the goal should be not to return to sitting, but rather to regain your ability to stand and move.
What is the best position to sit in with lower back pain? ›Sit with a back support (such as a rolled-up towel) at the curve of your back. Keep your hips and knees at a right angle. (Use a foot rest or stool if necessary.) Your legs should not be crossed and your feet should be flat on the floor.
Is Heat good for back pain? ›Heat therapy can help ease acute and chronic back pain. A person should apply heat to their back to help relax the muscles, reducing pain. Applying heat to the muscles can cause the blood vessels to dilate, improving circulation. This promotes the healing of any damaged muscle.
Will muscle relaxers help back pain? ›When you have back pain, your doctor may recommend muscle relaxants—a group of drugs that are typically obtained with a doctor's prescription. These drugs have the potential to decrease tension and spasm within a sore muscle, which may reduce pain.
Why do I still feel pain after taking painkillers? ›
Opioids do provide relief by blocking pain. But as a result, your body reacts by increasing the number of receptors to try to get the pain signal through again. So when the drug wears off, you will experience more pain for about three days.
Can I take 2 extra strength Tylenol and ibuprofen? ›Yes, you can safely take acetaminophen and ibuprofen together. And it may surprise you that taking these two medications together actually works better to relieve pain than taking them separately.
Which is less damaging to liver Tylenol or ibuprofen? ›Acetaminophen is harder on the liver than ibuprofen. The liver is the main organ responsible for breaking down acetaminophen. When taken occasionally, and at recommended doses (no more than 4,000 mg per day), it shouldn't cause any liver damage.
What is the strongest over-the-counter anti-inflammatory? ›Naproxen. Naproxen (Aleve) is the most powerful anti-inflammatory pain reliever available without a prescription. It is especially effective for sprains, sunburns and arthritis and other conditions. Similar doses of Naproxen tend to last longer than other non-prescription pain relievers.
What is the best pain reliever for muscle pain? ›“Naproxen [Aleve] and ibuprofen are better for inflammation and muscle strains. A bonus of Naproxen is you can take it twice a day versus every 4 to 6 hours like with acetaminophen. This can be more convenient for many people.”
Which pain reliever is least harmful to the liver? ›Acetaminophen (paracetamol), when taken in reduced doses (maximum 2–3 grams per day), is generally considered to be the safest pain relief option for your liver.
Does Tylenol reduce inflammation? ›What is acetaminophen? This OTC medicine is not an NSAID; it can ease mild-to-moderate pain and bring down a fever, and it tends to cause fewer stomach problems than other OTC pain relievers. But, unlike NSAIDs, it does not treat inflammation.
Is acetaminophen 500 mg the same as extra strength Tylenol? ›1 The difference in Tylenol products has to do with the amount of acetaminophen in each tablet, capsule, or gelcap. This is measured in milligrams (mg). Each regular strength Tylenol contains 325 mg acetaminophen. Each Extra Strength Tylenol contains 500 mg acetaminophen.
What is the most effective form of Tylenol? ›The strongest forms of over-the-counter Tylenol are Tylenol 8-Hour Aches and Pain and 8-Hour Arthritis Pain. These products have 650 mg acetaminophen.
Is acetaminophen bad for kidneys? ›Is Tylenol bad for my kidneys? No. In fact, Tylenol is preferred over other OTC pain relievers if you have kidney problems. As detailed earlier, Tylenol is broken down almost completely by the liver.
When Tylenol doesn't help back pain? ›
NSAIDs. The over-the-counter alternatives to acetaminophen are the NSAIDs ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and common aspirin. These reduce pain and fever as well as inflammation. "Over all, NSAIDs are more potent for pain relief," Dr.
What can I take for back pain every day? ›Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Sleep in a curled-up, fetal position with a pillow between your legs. If you usually sleep on your back, place a pillow or rolled towel under your knees to relieve pressure.
Will Tylenol help with lower back pain? ›Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
This is usually the first line of treatment for lower back pain. Acetaminophen relieves minor aches and pains. However, this medicine is not an anti-inflammatory drug, meaning it does not reduce swelling and inflammation.
If you're experiencing back pain that's not responding to pain relievers, make an appointment with your doctor. They can recommend medications and other treatments that may be effective for your specific type of back pain.
What foods should you avoid when taking Tylenol? ›Food, especially foods high in pectin (including jellies), carbohydrates, and many types of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and others) can interfere with acetaminophen absorption.
Is Tylenol 8 hour good for back pain? ›temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: muscular aches. backache.
Why does Tylenol make pain go away? ›However, acetaminophen might block the enzyme production in the brain, thus blocking the further transmission of the pain nerve impulses. As with other pain relievers except opioids, such as morphine, it has a “ceiling effect” to its pain-relieving abilities.
How long does 500mg Tylenol last? ›| Acetaminophen: How much can you take safely? | ||
|---|---|---|
| 325 mg | 500 mg | |
| Take how many pills at a time? | 1 or 2 | 1 or 2 |
| Take how often? | Every 4 to 6 hours | Every 4 to 6 hours |
| Safest maximum daily dose for most adults | 8 pills | 6 pills |
Why can't I use Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel for shoulders, hips, etc.? Voltaren has not been studied for the relief of arthritis pain in the shoulders, hips, and back.
Is Voltaren good for back pain? ›Voltaren Emulgel helps with the relief of localized traumatic inflammation and pain such as back pain.
What are the red flags for back pain? ›
“Red flags” include pain that lasts more than 6 weeks; pain in persons younger than 18 years or older than 50 years; pain that radiates below the knee; a history of major trauma; constitutional symptoms; atypical pain (eg, that which occurs at night or that is unrelenting); the presence of a severe or rapidly ...
Is Walking good for lower back pain? ›Going on walks: Initial research suggests that going on a walk or brisk walking (Nordic walking) can help relieve back pain if done regularly – for instance, every two days for 30 to 60 minutes.
How do you know if back pain is muscle or disc? ›Radiating pain
Strained muscles cause localized pain (at the site of the injury), but the pain can sometimes radiate to your buttocks. However, if you find that your pain runs from your buttocks and down through your leg, you might be dealing with sciatica or even a herniated disc in your lumbar spine.
Bed rest is no longer the go-to treatment for moderate back strain. Although it does minimize stress on the lower spine, it can also create other problems. Too much time in bed weakens muscles, including those needed to support the back.
What helps back pain after waking up? ›- Stretches in bed. One way to beat back pain is to make a habit of stretching right before you get out of bed. ...
- Planks. A plank works almost your entire body, particularly your core muscles. ...
- Mini-cobra. ...
- Knee bends. ...
- Get exercise throughout the day. ...
- OTC medications. ...
- Topical remedies.
According to sleep experts, you should sleep with only one pillow under your head, however, preference and sleeping position often take the lead when it comes to considerations for the ideal number of pillows. Read on to learn why we recommend sleeping with a high-quality single pillow.
Is Advil or Aleve better for back pain? ›Advil is better suited for the treatment of acute pain and is the most appropriate NSAID for children. Aleve is better suited for the treatment of chronic conditions. Aleve is more likely than Advil to cause gastrointestinal (GI) side effects because it is longer acting.
What is better for lower back pain Advil or ibuprofen? ›If you have no known contraindications to NSAIDs, over-the-counter weight-dosed ibuprofen is your best bet to treat acute low back pain.
Is back pain better with ibuprofen? ›Medicines. Nonprescription medications may provide relief from pain: Ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin), available over-the-counter, is an excellent medication for the short-term treatment of low back pain. Because of the risk of ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding, talk with your doctor about using this medication.
Which is better for lower back pain aspirin or ibuprofen? ›Ibuprofen is preferred over aspirin for ongoing conditions such as arthritis, menstrual cramps, and back pain. This is because the risk of gastrointestinal side effects increases the longer the duration of treatment and the risk of GI effects associated with aspirin use is already high.
Can Voltaren be used for back pain? ›
Voltaren Emulgel helps with the relief of localized traumatic inflammation and pain such as back pain. Back pain, especially lower back pain, is one of the most common causes of body pain.
Why do doctors recommend Tylenol over ibuprofen? ›Since acetaminophen works on the pain pathway, it still helps with these problems—but it may not work as well as ibuprofen. However, since acetaminophen is usually safer to take than NSAIDs, it is often recommended to try to use acetaminophen first.
How to relieve lower back pain? ›- Strengthen your core muscles. Your lower back is under the stress of supporting your entire upper body. ...
- Stretch daily. ...
- Avoid sitting with poor posture. ...
- Take walks. ...
- Lift correctly. ...
- Reduce pressure on your back when you sleep. ...
- Watch your weight. ...
- Quit smoking.
Is it safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) with ibuprofen? The simple answer? Yes, you can safely take acetaminophen and ibuprofen together. And it may surprise you that taking these two medications together actually works better to relieve pain than taking them separately.
Why can't you use Voltaren gel on your back? ›Why can't I use Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel for shoulders, hips, etc.? Voltaren has not been studied for the relief of arthritis pain in the shoulders, hips, and back.
Why is my back pain not relieved with ibuprofen? ›If you're experiencing back pain that's not responding to pain relievers, make an appointment with your doctor. They can recommend medications and other treatments that may be effective for your specific type of back pain.
Is it bad to take ibuprofen every day for back pain? ›While you can continue taking ibuprofen for a few days, it's not recommended that you take it daily to relieve pain unless your doctor has prescribed it. Medications like ibuprofen can irritate your stomach lining and cause problems ranging from mild nausea to ulcers.
How should I sleep with lower back pain? ›The best sleeping position for lower back pain is on your side with a partial bend in the knees. View Source . Keeping the knees bent helps balance the body and reduces pressure on the lumbar spine. Many people find it helpful to put a small pillow between their knees to make this position more comfortable.
Is walk good for lower back pain? ›Going on walks: Initial research suggests that going on a walk or brisk walking (Nordic walking) can help relieve back pain if done regularly – for instance, every two days for 30 to 60 minutes.
Which Robax is best for back pain? ›For effective relief of pain associated with muscle spasm such as back pain, tense neck muscles, strains and sprains. Robaxacet Extra Strength contains an analgesic (acetaminophen) to relieve pain and a muscle relaxant (methocarbamol) to relax tense muscles.