Acetaminophen

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Aug 09, 2022

Side Effects


Acetaminophen Side Effects

Acetaminophen is generally well tolerated and does not cause many side effects. However, in a small number of people, acetaminophen can cause serious side effects that require emergency medical attention. Stop taking acetaminophen and contact your doctor right away or seek emergency medical help if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms:

  • Hives, itching, or a red, peeling, or blistering skin rash
  • Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, lower legs, ankles, or feet
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Hoarseness

The above list may not include all the potential side effects of acetaminophen. Contact your healthcare professionals if your side effects are unusual or severe or if they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Acetaminophen Overdose: In case of an accidental or intentional overdose of acetaminophen, call your doctor immediately. You can also call the local poison control center or national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, flu-like symptoms, extreme tiredness, right upper abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and unusual bruising or bleeding.

Source: FDA