Tylenol No. 2 is a prescription medication used to treat pain considered mild to moderate. Some conditions for which Tylenol No. 2 are commonly prescribed include muscle pain, headaches and pain resulting from dental work and painful menstruation. Also, pain that results from accidents or from medical procedures may also be treated with Tylenol No. 2. It can also be prescribed for reducing fever. There are three ingredients in Tylenol No. 2--acetaminophen, caffeine and codeine.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication used to treat pain. It is commonly taken for pain associated with colds, sore throats, backaches, toothaches and vaccinations. It also used for joint pain. Acetaminophen is in a class of drugs called analgesics or pain-relieving drugs. It is also in a family of drugs called antipyretics, which include fever-reducing drugs. It is not habit-forming. It can cause liver damage if taken in large quantities.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a substance that affects the metabolism and stimulates the central nervous system. For people who do not regularly consume caffeine, it can cause a temporary but sharp increase in blood pressure. It may cause the adrenal gland to increase the production of cortisol and adrenaline temporarily.
Codeine
Codeine is prescribed for mild to moderate pain. It works by changing the manner with which the body senses pain. It is typically taken every four to six hours as needed. Codeine can be habit forming. It should not be taken in higher doses or more often than prescribed.
