Medicines Containing Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is the most common drug ingredient in America. More than 600 medicines contain acetaminophen. These include both prescription medicines and medicines available without a prescription, also called “over-the-counter,” or “OTC” medicines.

To prevent acetaminophen overdose, you need to be able to read labels and recognize when their medicines contain acetaminophen. The active ingredients in OTC medicines are clearly listed on the label, and the word “acetaminophen,” is listed on the front of the package or bottle and in the Active Ingredient section of the Drug Facts label.

Here’s a more detailed list of medicines containing acetaminophen, including prescription medications:

Brand Name	Active Ingredient(s)	Type of Medication
Tylenol	Acetaminophen	Over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever
Excedrin	Acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine	OTC pain reliever
Dayquil	Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine	OTC cold and flu medication
Nyquil	Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, and phenylephrine	OTC cold and flu medication
Midol	Acetaminophen, caffeine, and pyrilamine	OTC menstrual pain reliever
Robitussin Cold + Flu	Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine	OTC cold and flu medication
Theraflu	Acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine	OTC cold and flu medication
Vicks DayQuil Cold & Flu	Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine	OTC cold and flu medication
Vicks NyQuil Cold & Flu	Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, and phenylephrine	OTC cold and flu medication
ZzzQuil	Acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine	OTC sleep aid and pain reliever
Percocet	Acetaminophen and oxycodone	Prescription pain reliever
Vicodin	Acetaminophen and hydrocodone	Prescription pain reliever
Tylenol with Codeine	Acetaminophen and codeine	Prescription pain reliever
Ultracet	Acetaminophen and tramadol	Prescription pain reliever
Lortab	Acetaminophen and hydrocodone	Prescription pain reliever
Norco	Acetaminophen and hydrocodone	Prescription pain reliever

It’s important to note that taking too much acetaminophen can be dangerous and cause liver damage. Always follow the recommended dosage instructions on the label, and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using acetaminophen-containing medications.

On prescription labels, acetaminophen is sometimes listed as “APAP,” “acetam,” or other shorted versions of the word. To know what is in your medicines, read the list of active ingredients on the label each and every time you take a medicine.

You may be surprised to learn just how many medicines contain this acetaminophen:

Common Over-the-Counter Brand Name Medicines Containing Acetaminophen

Common Prescription Medicines Containing Acetaminophen