How Long After Taking Tylenol Can You Drink Alcohol? A Pharmacist Explains
Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmDMedically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmDTylenol (acetaminophen) is the most common over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. It's available alone and as an ingredient in many combination products.At normal doses, Tylenol is safe for most people. However, at high doses and with prolonged use, it can seriously damage the liver and is a leading cause of acute (sudden) liver failure.Heavy drinking is also associated with liver damage, including hepatitis, liver scarring, and cancer. Studies estimate that close to 90% of adults in the United States drink alcohol at some point in their lives, sometimes with the intent of relieving pain.With this in mind, you might need to consider how long after taking Tylenol can you drink alcohol if you regularly take this OTC medication or drink.
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When You Can Drink Alcohol After Taking TylenolThere's no clear verdict on exactly how long after taking Tylenol can you drink alcohol.Small amounts of Tylenol can stay in the body for up to 24 hours after a dose. Consider separating Tylenol and alcohol by a full day for optimal safety.Is Having a Drink While Taking Tylenol Ok?According to guidelines from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you shouldn't drink alcohol if you take Tylenol.But there are some nuances to keep in mind if you're deciding whether or not to drink.OTC Tylenol labels specify that liver damage may occur if an adult takes Tylenol with three or more alcoholic drinks.One drink is defined as any of the following:12 ounces of beer5 ounces of wine1.5 ounces of liquor such as vodka, gin, or tequilaIf you regularly drink three alcoholic beverages or more per day, talk with your healthcare provider about which pain medication is best for you.If you drink less than three drinks a day, your risk of liver damage is likely lower. However, the exact amounts of alcohol or Tylenol that can harm the liver aren't clear.In other words, no amount of either Tylenol or alcohol is completely safe for your liver.Who Is More at Risk When Combining Tylenol and Alcohol?People in the following groups are at higher risk when combining Tylenol and alcohol:Those with liver disease. People with severe liver disease may develop further liver damage if they take Tylenol. If you have liver disease, aim to limit Tylenol use to 3 grams per day or less.Those taking high doses of Tylenol. Taking more than 4 grams of acetaminophen per day increases the risk of both kidney and liver damage. Make sure you know the amount of acetaminophen in any products you take, including some combination of cold products and prescription pain medications. Read all labels carefully to prevent an overdose.Females, Hispanics, and Black people. These populations are more likely to have kidney damage from Tylenol and alcohol. This is true even for people who are light to moderate alcohol drinkers.Over age 65. Older adults may be at a higher risk of interactions due to potential changes in how they may process medicines and alcohol.Those with heavy drinking and/or alcohol use disorder (AUD). People with AUD are more likely to develop liver toxicity if they take high doses of Tylenol. Heavy drinkers who take even small doses of Tylenol may develop jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) or excessive bleeding. People with AUD should limit Tylenol to 2 grams (2,000 milligrams or mg) daily to minimize risks.
How Many Drinks Means Heavy Drinking?Heavy drinking for males is defined as having five or more alcoholic drinks on any one day or 15 or more in a week.For females, it's consuming four or more alcoholic drinks on any day or eight or more in one week.Heavy drinking also includes binge drinking on five or more days within the past month. Binge drinking is five alcoholic drinks or more for males or four or more for females in about two hours.
How Do Tylenol and Alcohol Interact?The biggest concern with taking Tylenol and alcohol together is the potential for liver damage, including liver failure.Tylenol is metabolized (broken down) in the body by enzymes in the liver. The liver enzyme CYP2E1 breaks down Tylenol into a substance called NAPQI, which can harm the liver.The levels of enzyme CYP2E1 increase in people who drink large amounts of alcohol. This means that when these people take Tylenol, their CYP2E1 kicks into overdrive. It produces more NAPQI, potentially causing serious liver damage.Can You Take Tylenol for a Hangover?A hangover can result after drinking alcohol as your body's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) goes back to normal (zero).Signs of a hangover include the following:FatigueThirstHeadacheMuscle painNauseaDizzinessTylenol is not recommended for a hangover because it can interact with the alcohol that's still in the body and harm the liver.Other common medicines for hangovers include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Motrin (ibuprofen). Taking NSAIDs or aspirin after drinking is also dangerous because the combination may irritate your stomach.Unfortunately, there are no safe or effective quick fixes for a hangover.Time, hydration, and rest are likely to be your best bets.You may also want to get curious about your alcohol intake and whether reducing or eliminating alcohol may benefit your health.How Long Does Tylenol Last in the Body?Tylenol typically works to relieve pain and fever for three to four hours.At normal doses, the half-life of Tylenol is about two hours. This means 50% of your dose of Tylenol remains in your body two hours after taking it.Interestingly, though, the half-life of Tylenol after an overdose increases and can be as long as eight hours.This means that Tylenol remains in the body much longer if you take high doses and is more likely to cause liver damage.Even with regular doses of Tylenol, a small amount will linger in the body for up to 24 hours.What Other Medications Have Tylenol?You may not realize that your medication contains acetaminophen. As mentioned, acetaminophen is available alone and as an ingredient in many combination products.These combination products include but are not limited to the following:OTC medications for colds and flu, like DayQuil and NyQuilOTC migraine medications like Excedrin MigrainePrescription pain medications like Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) and Vicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen)If you drink alcohol, it's important to keep this in mind so you can avoid accidentally combining them.What Pain Relievers Aren’t Affected by Alcohol?If you regularly drink or plan to for a special occasion, choosing a pain reliever that isn't affected by alcohol can be tricky.Other popular OTC pain medicines like aspirin and NSAIDs are also risky when taken with alcohol. Taking these medicines with even one drink a day may cause bleeding in your digestive tract.Many prescription pain medications, including opioids, shouldn't be taken with alcohol due to the risk of respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing) and death.Topical (applied to the skin) pain relievers may be your best bet to avoid interactions with alcohol. Only a small amount of these topical products enter the bloodstream, so they are less likely to be affected by alcohol.Topical options for pain include:NSAIDs like Voltaren (diclofenac gel)LidocaineCapsaicinCamphor or mentholDiscuss pain management with your healthcare provider for guidance on which medicines may be right for you.
U.S. Alcohol GuidelinesThe U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommends sticking to one drink per day for females and two drinks per day for males. Signs of alcohol use disorder include:Drinking larger amounts of alcoholAn inability to cut down on alcohol useAlcohol cravingsContinued use of alcohol despite social or professional consequencesWithdrawal syndrome if alcohol use is stoppedIf you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
SummaryUsing Tylenol and alcohol together isn't recommended due to the risk of liver damage. But keep in mind that the greatest risk is seen with heavy drinking and/or high doses of Tylenol.Tylenol is not recommended for either the treatment or prevention of hangovers.If you drink regularly, consider topical pain relievers instead of Tylenol.Make sure you discuss options with your healthcare provider to reduce liver damage and maximize your health. Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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