Tylenol Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is available in multiple forms. A typical adult dosage ranges from 650 mg to 1,300 mg per dose.
The maximum daily adult Tylenol dosage is 4,000 mg in 24 hours. But people with some health conditions, such as liver problems, may need to take a lower dose.
Taking too much Tylenol can damage your liver. Don’t take more than directed, or take it for longer than directed. Don’t take Tylenol with other medications that contain acetaminophen.
Tylenol is available over the counter (OTC) as a brand-name medication. But you can also find it as a lower-cost generic. If a healthcare professional writes you a prescription for OTC Tylenol, GoodRx can help save you money.
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Table of contents
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is one of the most popular pain relievers in the U.S. It treats mild to moderate aches and pains, and it can also be used to lower fever. But with multiple Tylenol products available, it can be hard to know how much to take. To help make it easier, below a guide reviewing adult Tylenol dosages.
Good to know: The manufacturers of Tylenol make several combination medications for sleep, cough, cold symptoms, and more. And there are other products besides brand-name Tylenol that contain acetaminophen. This guide will cover dosages for Tylenol and other products that only contain acetaminophen. If you’re unsure how to take the medication you have, ask a healthcare professional.
What’s the typical Tylenol dosage for adults?
Tylenol comes in a few different doses, ranging from 325 mg to 650 mg. Below, you’ll find the standard adult dosage for each version. Adolescents ages 12 and older can follow the adult instructions for most Tylenol products. For younger kids, check out our kid’s Tylenol dosage guide for more information.
Regardless of which Tylenol product you take, you should only self-treat with it for a few days. This means no more than 10 days in a row for pain, and no more than 3 days in a row for fever. If you need Tylenol for longer than that, it’s time to see a healthcare professional.
Tylenol regular strength dosage
Tylenol regular strength comes as an oral tablet and a liquid gel capsule. The tablets come as both a brand-name and generic medication. But the capsules are only available as a generic version. Each tablet or capsule contains 325 mg of acetaminophen.
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The adult Tylenol regular strength dosage is 2 pills (650 mg) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 10 pills (3,250 mg) in 24 hours.
Tylenol extra strength dosage
Tylenol extra strength comes as an oral tablet, rapid-release gel capsule, and oral powder packet. The tablets and capsules are available in both brand-name and generic versions. The powder packets are only available as a brand-name product. Each version contains 500 mg of acetaminophen per dose. You should swallow tablets and capsules with water. You can pour powder packets directly on your tongue and will quickly dissolve without water.
The adult Tylenol extra strength dosage is 2 pills or powder packets (1,000 mg) by mouth every 6 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 6 pills or powder packets (3,000 mg) in 24 hours.
Tylenol 8HR dosage
Tylenol 8HR comes as an extended-release tablet in both brand-name and generic forms. Each tablet contains 650 mg of acetaminophen. Tylenol 8HR has two packaging options: one labeled for arthritis pain and one for muscle aches and pains. The medication and directions are the same for both products.
The adult Tylenol 8HR dosage is 2 tablets (1,300 mg) by mouth every 8 hours with water. Don’t chew, cut, or crush the tablets. Don’t take more than 6 tablets (3,900 mg) in 24 hours.
Tylenol for children plus adults family suspension dosage
Tylenol for children plus adults family suspension is an oral liquid medication. It’s available as both a brand-name and generic product. It contains 160 mg of acetaminophen in every 5 mL of liquid. This version of Tylenol has a wide range of dosage options and can be safely given to both children and adults. So, it can be convenient to have on hand if the whole household isn’t feeling well.
The adult Tylenol family suspension dosage is 20 mL (640 mg) by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 100 mL (3,200 mg) in 24 hours. For accurate doses, be sure to use the enclosed medicine cup. For the adult dosage, the cup needs to be filled to the 10 mL line twice.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
Talk to a healthcare professional before taking Tylenol if you have liver problems. Having liver problems can raise your risk of liver damage with this medication. While Tylenol can still be a safe option, you may need to take a lower dose.
If you have liver issues, discuss safe Tylenol dosages with a healthcare professional first. In some cases, they might suggest avoiding it altogether.
Tylenol dosages for kids: Here are the recommended Tylenol (acetaminophen) dosages for children under age 12.
How long does it take for Tylenol to work? Learn the answer to this common question along with additional tips for taking Tylenol.
Potential side effects: Liver damage and overdose are two of Tylenol’s most serious risks. Read more about Tylenol side effects here.
What happens if you miss a dose of Tylenol?
Tylenol is usually taken only when you need it. So, you shouldn’t have to worry about skipping doses. Just take a dose if symptoms return and follow the recommended maximum daily doses.
If a healthcare professional has told you to take Tylenol regularly, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Never take extra medication to make up for forgotten doses.
What should you do if you take too much Tylenol?
Taking too much Tylenol can cause liver damage. In some cases, this can be severe enough to need a liver transplant or even be deadly. Never take more Tylenol than directed or take it more often than directed. Even if you feel well, contact a healthcare professional if you’ve taken too much Tylenol. You can also contact Poison Control for guidance at 1-800-222-1222 or online.
It’s important not to combine Tylenol with other medications that contain acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter (OTC) products and even some prescription pain medications.
Be sure to carefully read the label for all OTC medications that you’re taking. And ask your pharmacist if any of your prescription pain relievers contain acetaminophen. For most adults, the maximum safe amount of acetaminophen from all sources is 4,000 mg per day. But as discussed above, people with liver problems may need to take a lower amount.
How to save on Tylenol
There are many ways to save on Tylenol, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. By having a healthcare professional write a prescription for OTC Tylenol, GoodRx can help you save. Generic Tylenol's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $3.01 with a free GoodRx coupon.
Frequently asked questions
Adult Tylenol dosages are not usually based on body weight. But adults and teens who weigh less than 110 lbs (50 kg) may need a lower dosage. If you weigh less than 110 lbs, you may want to follow children’s Tylenol dosages, since they’re based on body weight. Safe doses should be listed in a chart on the OTC labels of children’s Tylenol products. Talk to a pharmacist if you don’t see your weight range listed on the package or if you have questions about how much Tylenol to take.
Tylenol is considered a safe option for pain relief during pregnancy. You should be able to take the standard adult Tylenol dosages listed on the package while expecting. But always double check this with your prenatal care team. Each pregnancy is unique, and your care team may want you to take a different dosage.
The bottom line
Tylenol (acetaminophen) products come in a few different dose forms. Typical adult Tylenol dosages range from 640 mg to 1,300 mg per dose, depending on the product. For most adults, the maximum daily dose is 4,000 mg in 24 hours. People with liver problems may need to take lower Tylenol dosages or avoid taking it.
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References
CVS Pharmacy. (2025). Acetaminophen regular strength- acetaminophen tablet, coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Gerriets, G., et al. (2024). Acetaminophen. StatPearls.
Kenvue Brands. (2024). Tylenol 8hr- acetaminophen tablet, film coated, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.
Kenvue Brands. (2024). Tylenol 8 hr arthritis pain- acetaminophen tablet, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.
Kenvue Brands. (2024). Tylenol extra strength- acetaminophen powder [package insert]. DailyMed.
Kenvue Brands. (2024). Tylenol regular strength - acetaminophen tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Kenvue Brands. (2025). Tylenol extra strength- acetaminophen tablet, coated, caplet [package insert]. DailyMed.
Kenvue Brands. (2025). Tylenol extra strength- acetaminophen tablet, coated, gelcap [package insert]. DailyMed.
Kenvue Brands. (2025). Tylenol for children plus adults- acetaminophen suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Acetaminophen.
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