Many people use Tylenol without a prescription as an over-the-counter medicine every day. The non-narcotic analgesic, known by the generic name acetaminophen, can relieve pain such as headaches and general body aches, as well as help fight fevers, the Mayo Clinic reports. While it is generally considered safe--no serious side effects occur commonly from taking Tylenol--the medication can cause some health issues if too much of it appears in a person's body. Tylenol overdose symptoms may require medical attention, the Mayo Clinic states.
Pain and Cramps
Taking too much Tylenol can induce pain and cramps, primarily in the stomach and abdomen. Cramps may occur either in the abdominal area or in the stomach because the muscles spasm with too much acetaminophen in the body. The abdomen and stomach also may feel tender to the touch and swelling may occur in either or both areas, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Diarrhea
Pain and cramps in the abdominal region also may occur as secondary side effects to diarrhea, which also may occur if too much Tylenol has been ingested. Diarrhea occurs because the medication disrupts the balance of the person's digestive system. This side effect can feel uncomfortable and force frequent defecation.
Nausea
Another form of a body system imbalance may occur as an overdose side effect of Tylenol in the person's stomach. The person may experience nausea or a feeling of stomach upset, and this can produce vomiting as a further overdose side effect of Tylenol, the Mayo Clinic indicates. Nausea also may cause a loss of appetite, the National Institutes of Health reports.
Sweating and Jaundice
Taking too much Tylenol may induce excess sweating, according to the National Institutes of Health. Like all symptoms of an overdose, the organization warns that these may not present themselves immediately. It may take 12 hours or longer for such symptoms to appear. A Tylenol overdose also may cause problems with the liver, such as jaundice. The telltale signs of this condition include a yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin.
Convulsions and Coma
After the ingestion of an overdose of Tylenol, even more serious side effects can occur, according to the National Institutes of Health. The drug may induce convulsions, a form of seizure marked by uncontrollable twisting and jerking of a person's body, usually with a temporary loss of consciousness. The medicine also can send the person into a coma, the organization states.
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