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.
Can you take Tylenol and gabapentin together? I want to make sure there is no interaction.
Aug 29, 2022- There are no drug interactions between acetaminophen (Tylenol) and gabapentin, so it is safe to take them together.
- Acetaminophen works best for general pain like headaches and arthritis, while gabapentin is better for nerve pain conditions like fibromyalgia and shingles-related pain.
- Be aware that acetaminophen can harm the liver at doses above 4 grams per day, especially with long-term use or if you have liver problems or drink alcohol.
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.Gabapentin is better for neuropathic pain including fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome.
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Analgesic
- A medication that relieves pain.
- Half-life
- The amount of time it takes for the body to eliminate half of a drug from the bloodstream.
- Peak concentrations
- The highest level of a drug present in the bloodstream after taking a dose.
- Central nervous system
- The brain and spinal cord, which control body functions and sensations.
- GABA
- A brain chemical that has a calming or slowing effect on nerve activity.
- FDA
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the government agency that approves medications for use.
- Titrated
- Gradually adjusted in small increments to find the right effective dose.
- Neuropathic pain
- Pain caused by damage or dysfunction of nerves.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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