Brand Names of Acetaminophen
The most common brand name for acetaminophen in the United States is Tylenol®, though it is also sold under numerous other brand names and as generic acetaminophen. 1
Primary Brand Names
- Tylenol® is the most widely recognized brand name for acetaminophen products in the U.S., manufactured by McNeil Consumer Healthcare 1
Alternative Names and Formulations
- Acetaminophen is also known internationally as paracetamol or APAP (N-acetyl-para-aminophenol) 2
- According to the FDA, there are currently 235 approved prescription and over-the-counter drug products containing acetaminophen as an active ingredient, many under different brand names 2
- Generic acetaminophen products are widely available and follow the same FDA monograph dosing guidelines as branded versions 1
Important Clinical Context
- Over 25 billion doses of acetaminophen are used annually in the U.S. as nonprescription medication 1
- More than 200 million acetaminophen-containing prescriptions are dispensed annually, typically in combination with opioids 1
- When purchasing acetaminophen products, patients should be aware that different brands may have different maximum daily dose recommendations on their labels, creating potential confusion—some brands recommend 3000 mg/day for 500 mg tablets, 3250 mg/day for 325 mg tablets, or 3900 mg/day for arthritis-strength products 1
Clinical Pitfall
- Patients must be counseled to check all medications for acetaminophen content, as it appears in numerous combination products under various brand names, increasing the risk of unintentional overdose when multiple products are used simultaneously 3