How long does it take for tylenol arthritis to work

How long does it take for tylenol arthritis to work
Tylenol (active generic ingredient, acetaminophen) is a drug often recommended by health care providers to treat arthritis pain. Like other anti-inflammatory medicines, it has a role in the non-surgical treatment of hand and arm pain. In fact, some research shows that if you have arthritis pain, you should try acetaminophen first, before trying other medicines, like ibuprofen and naproxen.

You may wonder what makes the Tylenol Arthritis product different than regular Tylenol.

Some patients ask me about Tylenol Arthritis and what ingredients make it different than regular Tylenol. This product is officially named “Tylenol Arthritis Pain”. It contains only acetaminophen, the same drug in regular Tylenol.

Tylenol currently comes in several versions. Most patients taking it for arthritis pain will probably take one of the following:

  • Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Release Gels (500 mg)
  • Regular Strength Tylenol (325 mg)
  • Tylenol 8 Hour (650 mg)
  • Tylenol Arthritis Pain (650 mg)

The number of milligrams of acetaminophen in each pill is listed in parenthesis above.

I’m not advocating taking one version over the other – you’ll have to spend some time thinking about which version is the right one for you, but the answer to the frequently asked question above is that “Tylenol Arthritis” contains slightly more acetaminophen than Extra Strength Tylenol. It contains no other drugs.

You can check out details of each version of Tylenol on the company website here.

If you have arthritis pain and reach for a Tylenol for relief, you may be doing yourself a disservice.

According to a recent study, Tylenol is only a little bit better than a placebo for treating arthritis pain in the hip or knee. It also doesn’t do much to improve joint function.

The study, conducted by researchers in Switzerland, found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil or Motrin, are better for temporarily relief of osteoarthritis pain.

Researchers reviewed more than 70 clinical trials that took place over a 35-year period and involved 58,000 patients. They examined how well different doses of acetaminophen, the class of drug to which Tylenol belongs, worked to relieve arthritis pain compared to seven different NSAIDs. They found that diclofenac, a type of NSAID that treats pain, migraine and arthritis, was the most effective drug for osteoarthritis pain. However, patients should use diclofenac and other NSAIDs with caution because these pain relievers may increase the risk for heart attack or stroke.

Osteoarthritis, which affects 27 million people every year, is a chronic condition that breaks down cartilage and causes joint inflammation, making it difficult for a person to walk or perform routine activity. The condition can affect any joint, but typically occurs in the knees, hips, neck and lower back. Osteoarthritis also is referred to as degenerative joint disease, which is fitting because the disease is most common among people over the age of 65. According to the Arthritis Foundation, about 50 percent of adults will develop osteoarthritis in their knee at some point in their lives, while 25 percent will develop symptoms in their hips by the time they are 85.

Common symptoms include pain, stiffness and swelling, which is why many people seek over-the-counter medications to manage the condition. But as the study suggests, Tylenol isn’t the best option. Acetaminophen isn’t meant to treat inflammation. These drugs treat various aches (headache, muscle ache and toothache) and reduce fever, but they aren’t anti-inflammatory. Acetaminophen pain relievers also can damage your liver if they are overused.

The makers of Tylenol disagreed with the study’s findings, saying that more than 150 studies have shown that it is effective for treating pain. Still, researchers are urging patients to use NSAIDs to better control osteoarthritis pain and to reduce the dependence on acetaminophen for pain relief. They said even powerful narcotics like Vicodin and Percocet aren’t as effective in treating osteoarthritis pain as NSAIDs like ibuprofen. However, NSAIDs do come with certain side effects, such as stomach issues and potential heart problems or kidney damage with overuse.

If you have mild pain, these over-the-counter medications may be effective for providing short-term relief. However, if your pain is severe and constant, it may be time to see a doctor and get specialized treatment. Physical and occupational therapy to strengthen your joint muscles may be effective, and reduce stress that can worsen joint inflammation. Limited yoga may be helpful to improve movement, but precautions must be taken to avoid putting joints in extreme positions. For severe cases, cortisone injections, bone realignment or joint replacement may be the best options, but consult your doctor first to find out what the best treatment is for your particular case. Pain relievers are a temporary stopgap and you shouldn’t have to live in constant pain. If osteoarthritis is affecting your quality of life, don’t hesitate to get help.


Does Tylenol Arthritis help with inflammation?

Acetaminophen isn't meant to treat inflammation. These drugs treat various aches (headache, muscle ache and toothache) and reduce fever, but they aren't anti-inflammatory. Acetaminophen pain relievers also can damage your liver if they are overused.

Is Tylenol Arthritis long acting?

TYLENOL® Arthritis Pain can offer long-lasting relief. This patented bi-layer extended-release caplet can relieve arthritis pain for up to 8 hours and won't irritate your stomach.

Is it OK to take 2 Tylenol arthritis every day?

If the recommended amount doesn't do enough to ease your arthritis, ask your doctor for other pain relief options. Increasing your daily dose even a little beyond the 4,000 mg maximum may cause liver damage. Don't double-dose. Avoid taking more than one medicine containing acetaminophen at a time.

How long does Tylenol Arthritis last?

Each caplet contains 650 mg of acetaminophen and features a bi-layer design with two layers of effective pain relief – the first dissolves fast and the second lasts up to 8 hours to ease minor arthritis pain.