Tylenol use during pregnancy

[Rhi315]

I have strep throat, and the only thing that helps me feel better is to take Tylenol. I know it is safe during pregnancy because it is on my list of medication I can take from my OB. But I have been taking it every 5 hrs. since yesterday morning. Which is what is recommended on the bottle. I just feel like, with me being pregnant, it may not be safe to take for a long period of time?? Exactly how long do you think it is safe for me to take it like this? If I don't take it, I can hardly lift my head up off of my pillow.

[Ashelen]

LOL I understand; no one ever really warns you about how much pregnancy HURTS...even before labor and delivery! You're welcome, I hope that once it gets warmer you won't be hurting so bad!

[Rhi315]

yeah, I try not to ever take it unless I really need it, but in this case, I feel like I might die if I don't lol. Thank you so much!

[Ashelen]

Tylenol is actually in a lot of trouble right now because very often people are taking 1,000 every 4 hours thinking "that's what the bottle says so it must be safe" not realizing that you can't take it every 4 hours ALL DAY and night, you know? Tylenol is an amazing drug but it sure does a number on your liver!

[Ashelen]

Yes, it's safe to take every day. Like I said as long as you're not exceeding 1,000mg per dose or 4,000mg per day you're fine. And yes, you can take the 1,000mg closer than 6 hours apart as long as you're not doing it around the clock because then you WILL exceed the safe dose.

[Rhi315]

thank you, I am taking 2 extra strength every 4-6 hrs. that's what it says is safe on the bottle. I try not to take them close together, and I try to take as little as possible, like just now, I took only one. But it wears off every 4.5 hrs. The bottle says not to exceed 8 tablets in a 24 hr. period, which I have not done. Last night I took Benadryl instead on tylenol when it was at the 24 hr. mark, in hopes to sleep some. But it is safe to take every day if needed as long as you follow the rec. dosage?

[Ashelen]

It's safe to take every single day if you have to. However, the key is this: you can NOT take more than 4,000mg of tylenol in a single 24-hour period, which I BELIEVE is 8 extra-strength tylenol. You also do not want to exceed 1,000mg in any one dosing period, which is 2-extra strength tylenol and I THINK it's 3 regular but don't quote me on that (check the bottle).

It's best to take it every 6 hours since you're pregnant and you don't want to overload your liver or the baby's liver, but as long as you're not exceeding the maximum daily dosage or the maximum single dosage you should be alright.

For instance, if you take 500mg (1 extra strength) every 5 hours, you're taking a safe single dose, and you're taking a safe daily dose. However, if you take 2 extra strength (2x500mg) every 5 hours, you're exceeding the safe daily dose by a fair bit.

So if you NEED to take 2 extra strength every dose around the clock, do NOT take them closer than 6 hours apart. If you're taking a regular strength tylenol, or even 2 regular strength tylenol at every dose (should be 325 in each pill) then you can take them 5 hours apart and be safe.

hope this helps :-)