Tylenol is a brand-name drug that was introduced in 1955 as a pain killer, according to the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine. All Tylenol products are based upon the drug, acetaminophen, although Tylenol-Codeine products also contain codeine phosphate, according to RxList.com. Drugs.com notes that Tylenol-Codeine No. 2 is a prescription drug formulated as round, white tablets equivalent to 300 mg of acetaminophen and 15 mg of codeine. Tylenol-Codeine No. 2 does not contain caffeine in the United States, but does in Canada. Tylenol-Codeine No. 2 also contains inactive ingredients.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is a generic name derived from the chemical compound, N-acetyl-para-aminophenol, which is classified as both an analgesic-for pain and an antipyretic-for fever, according to DrugLib.com. Acetaminophen lowers the temperature of the body, and changes how the brain senses pain. It is not habit forming, according to the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine.
Codeine Phosphate
Codeine is an alkaloid narcotic also classified as an analgesic, antipyretic and mild antitrussive for coughs, according to DrugLib.com. It changes how the body senses pain. Codeine can be habit forming. Acetaminophen and codeine together as Tylenol-Codeine No. 2 treats mild to moderate pain, fevers and coughs, such as those associated with common colds and influenza.
Binders and Fillers
Tylenol-Codeine No. 2 contains four inactive ingredients that are binders and fillers: : microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, povidone and corn starch, according to DailyMed. Binders function to keep all the ingredients intact, and ensure that tablets are formed properly. Binders are usually cellulose or starches. The cellulose and povidone compounds also act as fillers, which increase the size of the tablet, making it practical for manufacturing and consumer handling, according to the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine. Fillers are chemically inert, compatible with other ingredients, water soluble, relatively cheap, colorless and tasteless.
Disintegrants
Crospovidone also helps the tablet’s ingredients quickly disintegrate and become absorbed by the lower gut, according to the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine. The corn starch also acts as a disintegrant, which expands and dissolves when wet and causes the tablet to disintegrate in the lower gut. The disintegrated tablet releases the active ingredients, acetaminophen and codeine, for absorption.
Dispersant
Povidone also functions as a dispersing agent for the active ingredients. Povidone is a white powder that is readily soluble in water, and functions as a dispersing, suspending and emulsifying agent in medicinal tablets, according to the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine.
Lubricant & Stabilizer
Magnesium stearate is also an ingredient in Tylenol-Codeine No. 2, and functions as both a lubricant and stabilizer in the compounding process of manufacturing. Magnesium stearate also helps to mix the ingredients together evenly, according to the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine. Lubricants assist with the flow of ingredients through production and help prevent them from sticking to the manufacturing equipment.
References
- “Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine”; G. Nahler et al; 2009
- Drugs.com: Acetaminophen with Codeine Phosphate
- RxList.com: Drugs & Medications--Tylenol-Codeine No2 Oral
- DrugLib.com: Codeine / Acetaminophen--Description and Clinical Pharmacology
- DailyMed: Acetaminophen with Codeine Ingredients
