Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and prednisone are not known to interact with each other and should be safe to take at the recommended dosages. However, they can interact with other drugs.

Tylenol is commonly used to manage pain and control fevers. Conversely, prednisone is a prescription medication that reduces swelling, irritation, and inflammation. It’s commonly used to manage conditions like asthma and COPD.

While they don’t interact with each other, it’s always a good idea to speak with your doctor first. You should also be aware of other potential drug interactions.

Read on to learn more about when you can take Tylenol with prednisone and what precautions you should take.

Tylenol is one of the most popular medications in the United States. It’s estimated that about 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. take a medication containing the active ingredient acetaminophen in any given week.

Meanwhile, prednisone is only available by prescription. It falls into a class of medications known as corticosteroids, a form of drug that can reduce inflammation in the body.

What is Tylenol used for?

Acetaminophen works by blocking chemicals in your brain that carry pain signals. Tylenol and other forms of acetaminophen are commonly used to reduce fevers and pain caused by conditions such as:

What is prednisone used for?

Prednisone is only available by prescription. It’s used to treat a variety of conditions by reducing inflammation and suppressing immune system activity.

Some of the common conditions doctors prescribe prednisone for include:

Tylenol and prednisone are not known to interact with each other, so they’re generally safe to take together. It’s important to follow the instructions on the packaging or the directions given by your doctor.

In general, it’s best to only take one new medication at a time to see how one drug affects you before taking another. It’s also a good idea to check with a healthcare professional anytime you combine medications.

Although taking Tylenol and prednisone together is not known to cause any negative interactions, they can interact with some other medications.

Tylenol isn’t the only medication that contains acetaminophen.

That’s why it’s important to check the labels of any other medication you’re taking to make sure they don’t contain acetaminophen. If they do, you could be taking more acetaminophen than the recommended daily dosage.

Some other drugs that contain acetaminophen include:

  • generic acetaminophen
  • NyQuil
  • DayQuil
  • Sudafed PE Sinus Pressure + Pain
  • Panadol Extra Strength

Tylenol is known to interact with many types of medication, and some of these can cause severe complications. It’s a good idea to always speak with your doctor before combining Tylenol with other medications.

Some classes of drugs Tylenol is known to interact with include:

It’s important to note that the use of sodium nitrite is limited to treating life-threatening cyanide poisoning. This medication isn’t widely used or prescribed for other reasons.

Prednisone is known to interact with hundreds of drugs. Some that it may interact with include:

Most people do not experience any side effects when they take the recommended dose of Tylenol. Rarely, people develop an allergic reaction that can cause symptoms such as:

  • blisters
  • hives
  • itchiness
  • swelling of your tongue, lips, face, or throat
  • trouble breathing and swallowing

Taking more than the recommended dose of Tylenol can lead to liver damage. In fact, acetaminophen is responsible for an estimated 500 deaths per year in the U.S. However, liver damage is rare if you follow the recommended dose.

Symptoms of liver damage can include:

The risk of prednisone side effects increases as your dose increases.

Common side effects include:

  • weight gain
  • digestive problems
  • insomnia
  • restlessness
  • sweating more than usual

Less common side effects include:

In rare cases, it’s also possible to develop a severe allergic reaction to prednisone. If you think you may be having an allergic reaction to a medication, seek immediate medical attention.

When taking Tylenol, it’s a good idea to:

  • Check your other medications for acetaminophen when calculating your daily dosage.
  • Follow the instructions on the label or the instructions given to you by your doctor.
  • Consume the daily recommended dose on the label. According to the manufacturers of Tylenol, the maximum daily dose for single-ingredient Extra Strength Tylenol sold in the U.S. has been lowered from 4,000 mg to 3,000 mg.
  • Minimize alcohol consumption.
  • Check with a healthcare professional if you’ve had liver disease in the past.

When taking prednisone, it’s a good idea to:

  • Tell your doctor if you have a known allergy to any other medications.
  • Tell your doctor about all the prescription and nonprescription medications you’re taking, including vitamin and herbal supplements.
  • Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning on getting pregnant.
  • Stay away from people who are sick because prednisone can make you more prone to infection.
  • Tell your doctor if you have a current eye infection or any chronic infections.
  • Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccinations.

Tylenol and prednisone are generally safe to take together and are not known to interact with each other. However, both medications can interact with other types of drugs.

It’s important not to take more than the recommended maximum dosage of either medication. Speak with a doctor or healthcare professional before combining Tylenol or prednisone with new medications or supplements.