Can You Take Tylenol With Gabapentin?
Many people taking prescribed gabapentin wonder, “can you take tylenol with gabapentin safely?”. While gabapentin is known to have adverse effects when combined with other drugs, you can safely take Tylenol with gabapentin without any significant interactions [1]. However, mild effects can occur when mixing these two substances together. It’s important to talk to your prescribing doctor if you’re concerned about gabapentin interactions.
So, if you’re currently taking prescription gabapentin and are concerned about interactions with Tylenol, you should not be worried. There are no known significant side effects.
Continue reading to learn more about gabapentin, Tylenol, and other drug interactions to look out for when taking gabapentin.
Gabapentin is a prescription medication that is used to treat epilepsy (seizures) and nerve pain [2]. It is typically prescribed to take 3 times a day, and can be taken with or without food.
Gabapentin is not recommended for those who are pregnant or trying to conceive, have had past allergic reactions to medications, are on a controlled sodium diet, have kidney problems, or have had issues with substance misuse.
While most people who take gabapentin experience little to no side effects, some individuals find themselves addicted to gabapentin, even when taking it directly as prescribed. In these cases, it’s important to speak to your prescribing doctor about getting the right treatment and/or tapering schedule to combat dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an over-the-counter pain reliever commonly used to treat pain and fevers. This medication is also often prescribed by doctors to help patients struggling with mild to moderate pain or as a supplemental treatment alongside opioid painkillers [3].
While research is still unclear on why Tylenol is effective for pain management, it is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. The typical dosage for adults and adolescents is 1000 mg every 6 hours or 650 mg every 4 hours.
Although Tylenol is considered a very safe medication, a small portion of the population may experience reactions to the drug. Skin rash, blistering, hives, itchiness, swelling of the face (or other body parts), and difficulty breathing/swallowing are common reactions for those who can not tolerate acetaminophen. If you’re unsure whether Tylenol is safe for you to use, talk to your doctor about alternative pain management options.
Now let’s take a look at, “can you take gabapentin with tylenol?”
Yes, it is safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) and gabapentin at the same time. In fact, many people use the two together to treat different types of pain. A study from Yale University shows that using Tylenol along with gabapentin actually helps reduce the need for opioid pain management after surgical procedures [4].
However, there are some side effects to consider when taking Tylenol and gabapentin. While they do not have known interactions with each other, both drugs do have interactions with other medications. It’s always important to speak with your prescribing physician before taking any other medications along with these two drugs.
No, you should not take Tylenol PM with gabapentin. Unlike regular Tylenol, this medication contains diphenhydramine, which can cause excessive drowsiness, disorientation, confusion, delayed motor skills, and difficulty concentrating. If you’ve taken Tylenol PM with gabapentin and are concerned about side effects, it’s best to talk to your doctor.
Yes, Tylenol Extra Strength is safe to take with gabapentin and there are no gabapentin contraindications. However, if you struggle with liver dysfunction or are taking other medications with acetaminophen (Tylenol), it’s important to make sure you’re not exceeding the recommended daily dosage. If you have liver issues, talk to your doctor before taking Extra Strength Tylenol with gabapentin.
Yes, it’s safe to take gabapentin with Tylenol for Arthritis. There are no known interactions between these two medications, and many people take the two together as they address different types of pain. Gabapentin addresses nerve pain while Tylenol Arthritis targets general joint pain.
No, it is not considered safe to take Tylenol Cold & Flu with gabapentin. These two drugs can interact because of the dextromethorphan content in Tylenol Cold & Flu. If you’re dealing with a virus while on gabapentin, talk to your doctor about alternative remedies.
There are no known serious interactions between Tylenol Sinus and gabapentin. However, it’s best to consult your doctor before taking this medication. Tylenol Sinus contains chlorpheniramine, which may increase the effects of dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and trouble concentrating. This is especially true for certain people, including the elderly.
Not only are gabapentin and Tylenol safe to use together, but there are also some medical benefits to combining them.
While gabapentin does not have any major interactions with Tylenol, this drug does have serious interactions with a number of other medications [5][6]. Most notably, Gabapentin and norco are a dangerous combination that can result in side effects like sedation, impaired motor skills, difficulty concentrating, and risk of suffocation due to breathing difficulties.
While norco contains acetaminophen, the danger lies in its other sedative ingredients. Do not take any medications without fully disclosing your current prescriptions with your doctor. Your physician can help you determine what is safe to take while on gabapentin and what to avoid.
Major and moderate interactions of gabapentin with other medications include:
Major interactions:
Moderate interactions:
While Tylenol does not have any significant known interactions with gabapentin or any other drugs, there are risks if you take it while drinking alcohol. Additionally, combining other drugs that contain high doses of acetaminophen is also moderately dangerous, as taking too much of the substance can cause overdose or serious liver damage.
If you’re unsure of whether your medication contains a high level of acetaminophen, it’s always best to consult your doctor about whether it’s safe to take Tylenol while on it.
Major and moderate interactions of Tylenol with other medications include:
Major interactions:
Moderate interactions:
Can You Take Tylenol With Gabapentin? | FAQs
Yes, you can safely take gabapentin with Tylenol. There are no major effects associated with combining these two medications, and they are occasionally even prescribed together. The combination can help mitigate the need for opioids after surgery, and help address multiple types of pain associated with specific disorders like fibromyalgia and chronic pain.
Yes, Tylenol can help minimize pain while taking gabapentin. Tylenol uses different biological mechanisms to alleviate pain compared to gabapentin. Combining the two drugs is often beneficial, especially if an individual is experiencing both nerve pain and general pain.
While combining Tylenol and gabapentin is generally safe, individuals who suffer from liver dysfunction should be careful when taking high levels of acetaminophen (Tylenol). While taking low doses might be acceptable, it’s important to talk to your doctor before ingesting any medications if you struggle with liver disorders.
Tylenol is an over-the-counter medication that does not require a doctor’s approval before taking it, as long as the dosage is within recommended guidelines. However, gabapentin is a prescription drug that requires the consultation of a doctor to ensure safety and effectiveness. If you’re unsure of a drug’s safety, it’s always best to talk to your doctor before using it.
If you or a loved one are struggling with gabapentin addiction or prescription drug addiction, it’s important to get the right intervention treatments to overcome dependence.
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[1] https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/gabapentin-with-tylenol-1147-0-11-12.html
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493228/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482369/
[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5931182/
[5] https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/gabapentin.html
[6] https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/gabapentin-with-norco-1147-0-71-8487.html
[7] https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/acetaminophen,tylenol.html
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