Tylenol with Codeine: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & More - GoodRx (2024)

What is Tylenol with Codeine?

What is Tylenol with Codeine used for?

How Tylenol with Codeine works

Tylenol with Codeine is a combination of two medications that work together to treat pain.

• Codeine is an opioid receptor agonist. It's broken down into morphine in your body and it binds to certain opioid receptors in your brain to lower how much pain you feel.

• Acetaminophen is an analgesic. It stops the production of certain chemicals in your brain, which can help relieve pain.

Drug Facts

What are the risks and warnings for Tylenol with Codeine?

Even at recommended doses, taking Tylenol with Codeine can put a person at risk for addiction, abuse, or misuse. Taking Tylenol with Codeine for reasons other than prescribed (misuse) or at higher doses than prescribed can lead to overdose and death. Your healthcare professional (HCP) will prescribe the lowest amount of Tylenol with Codeine that's necessary for the shortest period of time possible.

The FDA requires a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program for this medication because of its potential for dependence and misuse. Under the REMS program, your HCP will go over how to use Tylenol with Codeine safely, its risks, and proper storage and disposal to help keep you and your loved ones safe. If you have concerns about taking Tylenol with Codeine, talk to your HCP about alternative pain medications.

Tylenol with Codeine can cause dangerously slow breathing, which can be life-threatening. This can happen at any time, but you're at higher risk 1 to 3 days right after you start Tylenol with Codeine or right after your HCP raises your dose. Drinking alcohol and taking other medications, like benzodiazepines, can also raise your risk for this dangerous side effect. You're recommended to ask your prescriber about getting naloxone (Narcan) before you start Tylenol with Codeine so that you can have it available in case of an accidental overdose. If you or your loved one notice you have trouble breathing or have bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes, call 911 to get medical help right away.

Take Tylenol with Codeine exactly as prescribed. Taking too much Tylenol with Codeine or taking it more often than prescribed can lead to an overdose. If you're taking the liquid version of this medication, make sure to use a medication dosing cup or oral syringe to measure out your dose. Don't use a household spoon because the dose might not be accurate and you might accidentally take too much medication. Be sure you and your loved ones know how to recognize symptoms of an overdose, such as not responding to sound or touch, extremely slowed breathing, extreme sleepiness, slow heartbeat, and cold or clammy skin.

Your HCP will likely prescribe naloxone (Narcan) for you to have on hand in case of an accidental opioid overdose. Make sure you carry naloxone (Narcan) with you at all times in case you experience an overdose. Call 911 right away if this happens.

Store Tylenol with Codeine out of reach from children, pets, or visitors. If you don't need to take Tylenol with Codeine anymore, throw away the medication through a take-back program.

If you take Tylenol with Codeine during pregnancy, you can pass the medication to your unborn baby. Long-term use during pregnancy can cause your unborn baby to become dependent on opioids. Once your baby is born, they can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as high-pitched crying, poor feeding and sucking behavior, trembling, irritability, abnormal sleep patterns, and seizures. This condition is called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and can be life-threatening if not recognized and treated in time. Let your healthcare provider know if you've used Tylenol with Codeine during pregnancy or if you notice these symptoms in your baby.

Tylenol with Codeine can interact with many medications. For example, taking certain medications, like erythromycin (Ery-tab) and ritonavir (Norvir), can raise the level of codeine and put you at higher risk for breathing problems. And starting certain medications, like rifampin (Rifadin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol), while you're already taking Tylenol with Codeine might lower the level of codeine and put you at risk for withdrawal symptoms.

Before starting Tylenol with Codeine, make sure your care team is aware of all the medications you're currently taking. Don't start or stop any medications without first checking with your care team.

Tylenol with Codeine can cause extreme sleepiness and lower your ability to think, react, and focus. Your risk is higher if you're taking other medications that can make you sleepy, such as benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, and sleep medications. Make sure you know how this medication affects you before driving a car or doing activities that require your concentration. Talk to your HCP right away if you feel too sleepy from taking Tylenol with Codeine.

Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage that can be permanent and life-threatening. For adults, the maximum amount of acetaminophen is 3,000 mg or 4,000 mg, depending on your health condition, in a 24-hour period, depending on your prescriber's instructions. For children, ask your child's pediatrician.

Speak to your provider before using Tylenol with Codeine if you have liver problems, since it can cause further damage to your liver. Also avoid drinking alcohol while taking Tylenol with Codeine, since this combination can harm your liver too.

Signs of liver problems include dark urine, feeling tired, upset stomach or stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your HCP right away.

Severe allergic reactions to Tylenol with Codeine are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). If you notice hives, rash, red skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after taking Tylenol with Codeine, get medical attention right away.

Additionally, although rare, acetaminophen can cause serious skin reactions, such as rash, blisters, skin reddening, or skin peeling. If you notice changes in your skin, stop using Tylenol with Codeine and get medical attention right away.

Opioids can cause people with a history of seizures to have seizures more often. Tylenol with Codeine can also raise your risk of seizures in certain situations. Let your HCP know if you have seizures more often while taking Tylenol with Codeine.

Tylenol with Codeine can cause extremely low blood pressure, including a drop in blood pressure when you stand from a sitting or lying down position. This can lead to dizziness and fainting. To avoid falling, get up slowly if you've been sitting or lying down. If dizziness or lightheadedness doesn't go away, talk to your HCP.

Though rare, opioids like Tylenol with Codeine can cause your adrenal hormone levels to drop. This is more likely to happen after taking opioids for longer than 1 month. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, not feeling hungry, tiredness, dizziness, and weakness. Let your provider know right away if you experience these symptoms because you might need to stop Tylenol with Codeine and be treated with corticosteroids.

People with certain medical conditions shouldn't take Tylenol with Codeine.

For example, this medication can't be taken by people with certain stomach-related conditions, such as slow movement of the gut. The codeine in this medication can worsen gut movement.

Tylenol with Codeine isn't appropriate for people with head injuries, brain tumors, or other brain-related medical conditions. This is because this medication can slow breathing and lower oxygen levels in the brain, which can be dangerous.

Before starting Tylenol with Codeine, make sure to let your medical team know about what medical conditions you have so that they can check to see if this medication is safe for you to take.

If you have been taking Tylenol with Codeine every day for an extended period of time, don't suddenly stop taking this medication without talking with your HCP. Stopping this medication too suddenly can lead to opioid withdrawal, which includes symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain

Pros and cons of Tylenol with Codeine

Pharmacist tips for Tylenol with Codeine

Frequently asked questions about Tylenol with Codeine

Tylenol with Codeine dosage forms

Your healthcare professional (HCP) will prescribe the lowest dose of Tylenol with Codeine for the shortest duration of time to treat your pain.

Tylenol with Codeine tablets

• Adults: The typical starting dose is 300 mg/15 mg (Tylenol with Codeine) by mouth every 4 hours as needed for pain.

Tylenol with Codeine oral solution
Each 5 mL contains 12 mg of codeine and 120 mg of acetaminophen.

• Adults: The typical dose is 15 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed.

Don't take more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen within a 24-hour period.

Tylenol with Codeine shouldn't be given to children younger than 12 years of age, or to children younger than 18 years of age if they recently had tonsil or adenoid surgery.

How much does Tylenol with Codeine cost?

What are alternatives to Tylenol with Codeine?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Tylenol with Codeine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.