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Drug Info

How long does it take for Tylenol to work?

Different factors affect how long it takes Tylenol to work, but you can typically expect pain relief within 45 minutes
Karen Berger medical writer and reviewer headshot
By | Dec. 13, 2023
Various pills of different sizes and colors: How long does it take for Tylenol to work?

Key takeaways

  • Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an OTC medication that provides pain relief and reduces fever.

  • Tylenol tablets take about 45 minutes to kick in, while the effervesent version works in as little as 20 minutes.

  • Tylenol generally works for four to six hours, but the dosage and formulation may extend its effects.

  • Exceeding the recommended dose of acetamin-containing products can cause severe liver damage. Consult with your healthcare provider about using Tylenol with alcohol or while pregnant or breastfeedng.

In this article:

Tylenol is a pain reliever, or analgesic medication, that contains the active ingredient acetaminophen. It can be used in adults and children to relieve symptoms of pain (such as from a sore throat or headache) and lower fever. Although many people think that Tylenol and Motrin (ibuprofen) are the same, they are not. Motrin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs help with pain, fever, and inflammation. Tylenol is not an NSAID and does not relieve inflammation. 

If you or someone you care for aren’t feeling well, you may wonder how long it takes for Tylenol to start working. It typically takes about 45 minutes for Tylenol tablets to start working, although other formulations work quicker. Continue reading to learn more about how fast different formulations of Tylenol work to relieve your symptoms. 

How long does it take Tylenol to work?

The time it takes for Tylenol (acetaminophen) to work depends on the form of medication you are taking (for example, a liquid or pill formulation) and other factors that can play a role. 

Effervescent forms

A study in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that effervescent forms of acetaminophen started to work in about 20 minutes, while oral tablet forms started to work in about 45 minutes. Researchers found that effervescent acetaminophen took about 45 minutes for meaningful pain relief, while the tablet form took about 60 minutes. Four hours after taking the medication, however, pain relief was better in patients who took the tablet form. 

Although there are no effervescent forms of Tylenol as a single-ingredient product in the United States, the ingredient, acetaminophen, can be found in certain effervescent products such as Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold and Flu, which contains acetaminophen along with other medications that help a cough and stuffy or runny nose. 

When taking a combination product like this, you have to ensure that each ingredient is safe for you to take. Depending on your symptoms, a single-ingredient product may be better to minimize side effects and drug interactions. The closest formulation to effervescent Tylenol tablets available in the United States is the Tylenol dissolve packs.

Immediate-release forms

An immediate-release Tylenol product will reach its highest levels in the body within 10–60 minutes. Liquids and dissolve packs may work faster than other forms—and taking Tylenol on an empty stomach may help it work faster, too.

Extended-release forms

Extended-release formulations of Tylenol, such as extended-release tablets, will reach their highest levels in the body anywhere from one to two hours. If you take extended-release Tylenol with food, it may take slightly longer for the body to absorb the medicine. 

Acetaminophen suppositories

Acetaminophen suppositories (rectally administered acetaminophen) vary in how fast they start working. The suppository takes about three hours to reach its maximum effect, which is considerably slower than when acetaminophen is taken in an oral form such as liquid. However, there are some times when a rectal formulation may be needed, such as when a child is vomiting and cannot keep anything down. 

Intravenous acetaminophen

Intravenous acetaminophen, which is a prescription form of acetaminophen given by a healthcare professional in a healthcare setting, is infused over a 15-minute period. It starts to work immediately, reaching its highest levels in the body at the end of the 15-minute infusion. 

Different types of Tylenol

There are different types and formulations of Tylenol, such as tablets, chewable tablets, liquids, and others available over the counter. Some OTC medications contain acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol, in combination with other medicines (e.g., certain migraine medications and combination cough and cold products). And, some medications that contain acetaminophen are prescription-only (e.g., acetaminophen that is injected by a healthcare provider and certain opioid pain medications used for severe pain). 

The following chart lists common Tylenol products, along with their uses, forms, and dosage.

 

Common Tylenol products and dosage
Product Name Uses  Form Dosage
Tylenol Regular Strength Tablets (Each tablet contains 325 mg of acetaminophen; this is the regular strength formulation) Pain and/or fever Tablet  Adults & children ages 12 and older:

Take 2 tablets by mouth every 4–6 hours as needed (maximum 10 tablets in 24 hours)

Children ages 6 years to 12 years old: Take 1 tablet by mouth every 4–6 hours as needed (maximum 5 tablets in 24 hours)
Extra Strength Tylenol Caplets

(Each caplet contains 500 mg of acetaminophen)

 Pain and/or fever Caplet  Adults & children ages 12 and older: Take 2 caplets by mouth every 6 hours as needed 

(maximum of 6 caplets in 24 hours)
Tylenol Extra Dissolve Packs

(Each packet contains 500 mg of acetaminophen)

 Pain and/or fever Dissolving powder Adults & children ages 12 and older: Take 2 powder packets by mouth every 6 hours as needed 

(maximum of 6 powder packets in 24 hours)
Tylenol Infants Suspension (Each 5 mL contains 160 mg of acetaminophen) Pain and/or fever Oral suspension Children ages 2–3 years and weighing 24–35 pounds: Take 5 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed (maximum of 5 doses in 24 hours)
Children’s Tylenol Suspension (Each 5 mL contains 160 mg of acetaminophen) Pain and/or fever Oral suspension Children ages 2 to 11 years old: Dosage depends on age and weight
Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Medicine* (Each caplet contains 325 mg of acetaminophen, along with other medications: dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine) Pain, cold, fever, congestion, and cough Caplets  Adults and children ages 12 and older: Take 2 caplets by mouth every 4 hours as needed (maximum 10 tablets per 24 hours)
Tylenol PM Extra Strength* (Each caplet contains 500 mg of acetaminophen and 25 mg of diphenhydramine) Pain and sleep  Caplets  Adults and children ages 12 and older: Take 2 caplets by mouth at bedtime (maximum 2 tablets per 24 hours)

* Multiple-ingredient products

How long does Tylenol last?

In addition to knowing how fast Tylenol takes to work, you may wonder about the duration of action or how long each dose of Tylenol will last. A medication’s half-life is the time it takes for your body to clear about half of a dose of medication. The half-life of Tylenol (oral formulations) can range from one to three hours. It takes about five half-lives until the medication is almost gone from the body, so a dose of Tylenol may stay in the body for between five and 15 hours. Most forms of Tylenol are dosed every four to six hours as needed so that you can take another dose before the previous dose wears off. 

Important safety considerations when taking Tylenol

There are some important considerations to be aware of when taking Tylenol:

  • The primary ingredient in Tylenol, acetaminophen, can be found in various products. Many products have different brand names or are sold by their generic name. As such, dosing instructions vary, and it is important to follow them carefully. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Taking higher doses of acetaminophen than recommended, accidentally or on purpose, puts you at risk of severe liver damage. 
  • It is important to only use one medication that contains acetaminophen at a time, so consumers should always check the package label before taking a medication. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for help in selecting appropriate medications and not combining different acetaminophen products. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the other medicines you take, including prescription medications, OTC drugs, vitamins, and supplements, so they can check for drug interactions.
  • Alcohol can increase the risk of liver toxicity. If you drink alcohol, consult your healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen.  
  • Generally, acetaminophen by itself (as a single-ingredient product, not combined with other medications) is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding—but to be safe, women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should always check with a healthcare professional to confirm it is safe to take.
  • Stop taking acetaminophen and check with your doctor (or your child’s doctor) if you are still experiencing symptoms after 10 days (five days for children), if you have a fever after three days, if your symptoms get worse or do not improve, or if you have any other concerning symptoms. 
  • Store Tylenol at room temperature. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. Keep away from direct light, heat, and moisture. As with all medicines, keep out of reach and out of sight of children and pets. 

Bottom line

There are many available preparations of Tylenol (acetaminophen), a medication used to help with fever and pain. It works fairly quickly—most formulations start to work in less than an hour. Consult your healthcare provider for more information and professional medical advice about Tylenol. 

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