Can You Take Tylenol With Gabapentin?

In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be taken with gabapentin.

Question

Can you take Tylenol and gabapentin together? I want to make sure there is no interaction.

Asked by Howard On Aug 29, 2022

Answered by
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Published Aug 29, 2022
Last updated Mar 28, 2024

Key points

  • There is no drug interaction between Tylenol and gabapentin. They are considered safe to take together.

Answer

There are no drug interactions between acetaminophen (Tylenol) and gabapentin (Neurontin). Both are types of pain medications, but work differently and treat different types of pain. Below, we will discuss more information about each of these medications.

Information About Acetaminophen

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an analgesic that can be taken for a wide variety of acute and chronic pain ailments. Acetaminophen has a half-life of 2-3 hours.

Acetaminophen gets absorbed at 85-98% and reaches peak concentrations within 30-60 minutes. Typically, acetaminophen can start working within 15 minutes. Taking this medication with food slightly decreases the peak effect.

Acetaminophen can have negative impacts on the liver, especially at higher doses for an extended period of time.

Most cases of liver injury are with doses greater than 4 grams per day and the risk increases in patients with pre-existing liver conditions or alcoholism. As acetaminophen is a common ingredient in over-the-counter medications, it is important to understand how much is being taken.

Information About Gabapentin

Gabapentin reduces anxiety, pain, and seizure activity by binding to receptors in the central nervous system tissues. Gabapentin is structurally related to GABA, a brain chemical that generally has a depressive or slowing effect. The half-life of gabapentin is about 6 hours.

Gabapentin was first approved by the FDA in 1993 for seizures and in 2002 for nerve pain associated with Shingles. Usually, the dose for gabapentin is titrated over time to find the right dose and may be given up to three times daily. Gabapentin can cause drowsiness, fatigue, and headache in some patients.

Summary

While both acetaminophen and gabapentin can be used for pain, these medications work differently and there is no known risk to taking these together. Acetaminophen is typically used to treat a wide variety of ailments including headaches, osteoarthritis, and dental pain. Gabapentin is better for neuropathic pain including fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome. 

References

  • Neurontin Prescribing Information, AccessFDA
  • Acetaminophen Prescribing Information, PubChem

About the Pharmacist

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD

Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.

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