What Is Tylenol Arthritis Pain?

Contains More of the Active Ingredient

Updated December 10, 2014.

Question: What Is Tylenol Arthritis Pain?

Tylenol Arthritis Pain is a popular over-the-counter medication used for, as its name suggests, relieving arthritis pain. How is Tylenol Arthritis Pain different from regular strength Tylenol or extra strength Tylenol?

There Is More Than One Type of Tylenol

Several different Tylenol bottles are on the shelf in a drugstore. There is regular strength Tylenol, extra strength Tylenol, Tylenol Arthritis Pain, Tylenol 8 Hour, and an array of other Tylenol-containing products marketed for colds, flu, sinus pain relief, headache, menstrual pain. and sleeplessness.

Which one should you buy? Well, here is what you need to remember -- they aren't created equal. You need to know the difference.

Similarities and Differences of Various Tylenol Products

All products labeled Tylenol contain acetaminophen as their active ingredient and they also contain certain inactive ingredients. The cold or sinus products likely have another active ingredient in combination with Tylenol -- for example, phenylephrine HCl which acts as a decongestant.

What matters for pain relief is the amount of Tylenol in each of the products. For example:

Regular Strength Tylenol contains 325 mg acetaminophen in each tablet. Adults and children 12 years and over should take 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed -- but no more than 12 tablets in 24 hours.

Extra Strength Tylenol contains 500 mg acetaminophen in each caplet (also available as tablets, gelcaps, or liquid). Adults and children 12 years and over should take 2 tablets, caplets, gelcaps or tablespoons every 4 to 6 hours as needed -- with no more than 8 tablets, caplets, gelcaps or tablespoons in 24 hours. Extra Strength Tylenol should not be taken for more than 10 days unless directed by a doctor.

Tylenol Arthritis Pain contains 650 mg acetaminophen in each caplet (also available as gelcaps). Adults should take 2 caplets every 8 hours with water. The pills should be swallowed whole. It is recommended that you take no more than 6 caplets in 24 hours. You should not use Tylenol Arthritis Pain for more than 10 days unless directed by a doctor.

Tylenol 8 Hour contains 650 mg acetaminophen in each caplet. Adults and children 12 years and over should take 2 caplets every 8 hours with water -- swallowed whole -- no more than 6 caplets in 24 hours. Tylenol 8 Hour bi-layer caplets are designed to relieve muscle pain fast and last all day. The first layer provides fast relief and the second offers continuous all-day relief.

Beware of Cumulative Effect

The maximum allowable daily dose of Tylenol (acetaminophen) is 4 grams (or 4000 mg) in adults and 90 mg/kg in children. If you are taking a combination of products that contain acetaminophen, you MUST keep track of the cumulative amount you are ingesting.

Remember, narcotic pain relievers like Vicodin or percocet contain acetaminophen.

Bottom Line

You must keep track of how much Tylenol you are taking and you must take according to directions to ensure safe use of the medication. You can find other important facts and warnings about Tylenol in Tylenol / Acetaminophen: 10 Things You Should Know .

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