How often can you take a tylenol extra strength

Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever that comes in different strengths with different dosages and directions. Download and save this chart to help ensure you’re always taking the right dosages of acetaminophen products (for example, Tylenol® dosages).

Table of Contents Show

Get your pain reliever dose right to avoid taking too much
Take ONLY 1 medicine that contains acetaminophen at a time. Why?
Don’t take more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours. Why?
Follow dosing directions. Why?
Use these charts to guide proper dosage for your patients 12 and older
How often can you take extra strength 500mg Tylenol?
Is Extra Strength Tylenol every 4 or 6 hours?
How long do extra strength Tylenol last?
How many extra strength Tylenol is OK?

Acetaminophen

ACETAMINOPHEN REGULAR STRENGTH for example Tylenol® Regular Strength 325 mg per pill
DOSE & FREQUENCY	2 pills every 4 to 6 hours while symptoms last
DAILY LIMIT	Do not take more than 10 pills in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor
ACETAMINOPHEN EXTRA STRENGTH for example Tylenol® Extra Strength 500 mg per pill
DOSE & FREQUENCY	2 pills every 6 hours while symptoms last
DAILY LIMIT	Do not take more than 6 pills in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor
ACETAMINOPHEN EXTENDED RELEASE for example Tylenol® 8HR Arthritis Pain 650 mg per pill
DOSE & FREQUENCY	2 pills every 8 hours
DAILY LIMIT	Do not take more than 6 pills in 24 hours

Acetaminophen dosage daily limit is 4,000 mg

Get your pain reliever dose right to avoid taking too much

Here’s what you can do to take acetaminophen safely:

Take ONLY 1 medicine that contains acetaminophen at a time. Why?

More than 500 OTC and prescription medicines (see examples) contain acetaminophen. Taking more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen at a time increases your chance of taking too much and that can harm your liver.

Don’t take more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours. Why?

4,000 mg is the acetaminophen dosage daily limit. Taking more increases your chance of harming your liver. For your safety, do not take more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours.

Follow dosing directions. Why?

It is important to follow the directed dose and wait the correct amount of time between doses to avoid harmful side effects.

Remember: It is important to always read and follow the label. If you have any questions or are unsure which pain reliever may be right for you, talk with your healthcare professional.

Try non-medicine methods to get pain relief safely

Use these charts to guide proper dosage for your patients 12 and older

Regular Strength TYLENOL® Regular Strength Liquid Gels

ACTIVE INGREDIENT ACTIVE INGREDIENT, DOSAGE* & DIRECTIONS

DOSAGE FREQUENCY*

DIRECTIONS

Acetaminophen

325 mg (in each capsule)

2 capsules every 4-6 hours while symptoms last

Not to exceed 10 capsules in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor

Total labeled daily dose:
3250 mg/day

PROFESSIONAL DISCRETIONARY DOSAGE: If pain or fever persists at the total labeled daily dose, healthcare professionals may exercise their discretion and recommend up to 4000 mg/day.†

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE: Read and follow the label on all TYLENOL® products. Do NOT use with any other product containing acetaminophen.

*Consult TYLENOL® Regular Strength liquid gels packaging for dosing children under 12 years.

†The efficacy and safety of TYLENOL® at 4000 mg/day are well established.

Regular Strength TYLENOL® Regular Strength Tablets

ACTIVE INGREDIENT ACTIVE INGREDIENT, DOSAGE* & DIRECTIONS

DOSAGE FREQUENCY*

DIRECTIONS

Acetaminophen

325 mg (in each tablet)

2 tablets every 4-6 hours while symptoms last

Not to exceed 10 tablets in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor

Total labeled daily dose:
3250 mg/day

PROFESSIONAL DISCRETIONARY DOSAGE: If pain or fever persists at the total labeled daily dose, healthcare professionals may exercise their discretion and recommend up to 4000 mg/day.†

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE: Read and follow the label on all TYLENOL® products. Do NOT use with any other product containing acetaminophen.

*Consult TYLENOL® Regular Strength tablet packaging for dosing children under 12 years.

†The efficacy and safety of TYLENOL® at 4000 mg/day are well established.

TYLENOL® Family, Children & Adults Oral Suspension
	ACTIVE INGREDIENT	DOSAGE FREQUENCY	DIRECTIONS
Acetaminophen 160 mg (in each 5 mL)	Take every 4 hours while symptoms last	Not to exceed 5 doses in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor
IF POSSIBLE, USE WEIGHT TO DOSE; OTHERWISE, USE AGE.
WEIGHT	AGE	DOSE*
Under 24 lbs	Under 2 years	Ask a doctor
24-35 lbs	2-3 years	5 mL
36-47 lbs	4-5 years	7.5 mL
48-59 lbs	6-8 years	10 mL
60-71 lbs	9-10 years	12.5 mL
72-95 lbs	11 years	15 mL
96 lbs and over	Adults and children 12 years and over	20 mL
PROFESSIONAL DISCRETIONARY DOSAGE: If pain or fever persists at the total labeled daily dose, healthcare professionals may exercise their discretion and recommend up to 4000 mg/day.† Note: For children under 12 years, the maximum daily amount is 5 doses in 24 hours.	IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE: Read and follow the label on all TYLENOL® products. Do NOT use with any other product containing acetaminophen.

mL = milliliter
*Or as directed by a doctor.

†The efficacy and safety of TYLENOL® at 4000 mg/day are well established.

Extra Strength TYLENOL® Extra Strength Caplets

ACTIVE INGREDIENT ACTIVE INGREDIENT, DOSAGE* & DIRECTIONS

DOSAGE FREQUENCY*

DIRECTIONS

Acetaminophen

500 mg (in each caplet)

2 caplets every 6 hours while symptoms last

Not to exceed 6 caplets in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor

Total labeled daily dose:
3000 mg/day

PROFESSIONAL DISCRETIONARY DOSAGE: If pain or fever persists at the total labeled daily dose, healthcare professionals may exercise their discretion and recommend up to 4000 mg/day.†

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE: Read and follow the label on all TYLENOL® products. Do NOT use with any other product containing acetaminophen.

*For children under 12 years, at healthcare professional's discretion.

†The efficacy and safety of TYLENOL® at 4000 mg/day are well established.

Extra Strength TYLENOL® Extra Strength Coated Tablets

ACTIVE INGREDIENT ACTIVE INGREDIENT, DOSAGE* & DIRECTIONS

DOSAGE FREQUENCY*

DIRECTIONS

Acetaminophen

500 mg (in each tablet)

2 tablets every 6 hours while symptoms last

Not to exceed 6 tablets in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor

Total labeled daily dose:
3000 mg/day

PROFESSIONAL DISCRETIONARY DOSAGE: If pain or fever persists at the total labeled daily dose, healthcare professionals may exercise their discretion and recommend up to 4000 mg/day.†

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE: Read and follow the label on all TYLENOL® products. Do NOT use with any other product containing acetaminophen.

*For children under 12 years, at healthcare professional's discretion.

†The efficacy and safety of TYLENOL® at 4000 mg/day are well established.

Extra Strength TYLENOL® Extra Strength Dissolve Packs

ACTIVE INGREDIENT ACTIVE INGREDIENT, DOSAGE* & DIRECTIONS

DOSAGE FREQUENCY*

DIRECTIONS

Acetaminophen

500 mg (in each powder)

2 powders every 6 hours while symptoms last

Not to exceed 6 powders in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor

Total labeled daily dose:
3000 mg/day

PROFESSIONAL DISCRETIONARY DOSAGE: If pain or fever persists at the total labeled daily dose, healthcare professionals may exercise their discretion and recommend up to 4000 mg/day.†

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE: Read and follow the label on all TYLENOL® products. Do NOT use with any other product containing acetaminophen.

*For children under 12 years, at healthcare professional's discretion.

†The efficacy and safety of TYLENOL® at 4000 mg/day are well established.

Extra Strength TYLENOL® Rapid Release Gels

ACTIVE INGREDIENT ACTIVE INGREDIENT, DOSAGE* & DIRECTIONS

DOSAGE FREQUENCY*

DIRECTIONS

Acetaminophen

500 mg (in each gelcap)

2 gelcaps every 6 hours while symptoms last

Not to exceed 6 gelcaps in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor

Total labeled daily dose:
3000 mg/day

PROFESSIONAL DISCRETIONARY DOSAGE: If pain or fever persists at the total labeled daily dose, healthcare professionals may exercise their discretion and recommend up to 4000 mg/day.†

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE: Read and follow the label on all TYLENOL® products. Do NOT use with any other product containing acetaminophen.

*For children under 12 years, at healthcare professional's discretion.

†The efficacy and safety of TYLENOL® at 4000 mg/day are well established.

Extended Release TYLENOL® 8HR Arthritis Pain Tablets

ACTIVE INGREDIENT ACTIVE INGREDIENT, DOSAGE* & DIRECTIONS

DOSAGE FREQUENCY*

DIRECTIONS

Acetaminophen

650 mg (in each bi-layer tablet)

2 bi-layer tablets every 8 hours with water

Not to exceed 6 bi-layer tablets in 24 hours

Total labeled daily dose:
3900 mg/day

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE: Read and follow the label on all TYLENOL® products. Do NOT use with any other product containing acetaminophen.

*For children under 18 years of age, at healthcare professional’s discretion.

Extended Release TYLENOL® 8HR Muscle Aches & Pain Tablets

ACTIVE INGREDIENT ACTIVE INGREDIENT, DOSAGE* & DIRECTIONS

DOSAGE FREQUENCY*

DIRECTIONS

Acetaminophen

650 mg (in each bi-layer tablet)

2 bi-layer tablets every 8 hours with water

Not to exceed 6 bi-layer tablets in 24 hours

Total labeled daily dose:
3900 mg/day

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE: Read and follow the label on all TYLENOL® products. Do NOT use with any other product containing acetaminophen.

*Do not use in children under 12 years of age.

PM Extra Strength TYLENOL® PM Extra Strength Caplets

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS ACTIVE INGREDIENTS, DOSAGE* & DIRECTIONS

DOSAGE FREQUENCY*

DIRECTIONS

Acetaminophen 500 mg
Diphenhydramine HCl 25 mg

(in each caplet)

2 caplets at bedtime

Not to exceed 2 caplets in 24 hours

Total labeled daily dose:
Acetaminophen 1000 mg/day
Diphenhydramine HCl 50 mg/day

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE: Read and follow the label on all TYLENOL® products. Do NOT use with any other product containing acetaminophen.

*Do not use in children under 12 years of age.

This is not a complete list.

How often can you take extra strength 500mg Tylenol?

Each tablet, capsule, or gelcap contains 500 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen. Extra Strength Tylenol can be used in adults and children 12 years and over. The recommended dose is two tablets, capsules, or gelcaps every six hours as needed. The maximum daily dose is six tablets, capsules, or gelcaps.

Is Extra Strength Tylenol every 4 or 6 hours?

People taking Tylenol 8 HR will take two caplets every eight hours as opposed to two caplets, tablets, or powders taken every six hours for Tylenol Extra Strength.

How long do extra strength Tylenol last?

Do not take more than directed..

How many extra strength Tylenol is OK?

To appreciate how easy it is to exceed the safe limit, consider that one extra strength Tylenol tablet contains 500 mg of acetaminophen. Take two tablets at a single dose three times a day and you are at the maximum recommended dose.

tylenol extra strength