Can I Take a Multivitamin & Fish Oil Supplement With Extra Strength Tylenol?

Can I Take a Multivitamin & Fish Oil Supplement With Extra Strength Tylenol?
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Many people reach for an Extra Strength Tylenol when they get a headache or experience other pain. Although this type of Tylenol negatively interacts with several types of medications, it is generally safe to take with many over-the-counter supplements. The manufacturers of Extra Strength Tylenol do not report any interactions with fish oil supplements or vitamins. Check with your doctor to make sure it is safe for you to take these three medications concurrently.

Features of Extra Strength Tylenol

Extra Strength Tylenol is the brand name for a drug called acetaminophen. The drug comes in tablets, gel capsules and liquid preparations. One unit of Extra Strength Tylenol contains 500 milligrams of acetaminophen, while regular strength pills contain 325 milligrams. In addition to alleviating headaches and other pain, acetaminophen may reduce your fever. A standard dose of Extra Strength Tylenol for adults is two tablets every four to six hours.

Multivitamin Interactions

Taking a daily multivitamin is a good way to increase your consumption of important vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in your diet. In a 2007 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," researcher Elizabeth Yetley reported interactions between multivitamins and other drugs. Multivitamins containing calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, B vitamins and vitamins A, C, E and K did not have negative interactions with acetaminophen. No scientific studies suggest that taking Extra Strength Tylenol concurrently with a multivitamin is dangerous.

Fish Oil Interactions

Fish oil supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids, which improve your cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, omega-3 fatty acid supplements such as fish oil interact with common painkillers, including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. There are no reported interactions between omega-3 fatty acid supplements and acetaminophen, suggesting that it is safe to take Extra Strength Tylenol and fish oil supplements together.

Considerations

Taking Extra Strength Tylenol may be unsafe for some people. The drug increases your risk of liver damage and may cause harmful side effects if taken with alcohol. Although no evidence suggests that it is dangerous to take fish oil, multivitamins and Extra Strength Tylenol concurrently, it may not be safe for everyone. Consult your doctor to make sure this combination of medications is appropriate for you.

References

Article reviewed by Katie Boulden Last updated on: Nov 17, 2011

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