Key Points

  • Gabapentin is an FDA-approved prescription medication for nerve pain, seizures, and some other conditions.
  • Tylenol is the brand name for acetaminophen, an over-the-counter pain medication used for aches, pains, and fever.
  • Both medications can be taken at the same time without any known drug interactions.
  • However, just because no interactions have been recorded does not guarantee that someone may not experience an interaction.
  • Gabapentin has many other drug interactions, including with antihistamines and benzodiazepines.
  • Tylenol also interacts potentially negatively with barbiturates, certain anesthetics, and even some common supplements.

If you’ve been prescribed gabapentin you may be wondering: Can I take ibuprofen or Tylenol with gabapentin? For many people, these over-the-counter remedies are on hand for every headache and back twinge. However, it’s important to check that your everyday pain relief solutions won’t interact with your prescription medication.

Make sure you tell your doctor about any drugs you take on a regular basis and ask them about potential interactions. You can also read our medication safety guide that explains the drug interaction between gabapentin and Tylenol.

What is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin, sometimes sold under the brand name Neurontin, is a prescription medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s used to reduce nerve pain, treat seizure disorders, and reduce the impact of restless leg syndrome. It can also be prescribed for postherpetic neuralgia, a painful nerve condition that can develop after someone has had shingles (herpes zoster). [1]

The medication may work by increasing the volume of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain — a chemical that directly impacts the central nervous system (CNS). [2]

Gabapentin Side Effects

Understanding the side effects of gabapentin can help you know if you’re having a normal reaction to the medication or if there’s a problem to investigate. Common mild side effects include [3]:

  • Mild sedation or drowsiness, particularly at high doses
  • Fatigue
  • Swollen feet or legs
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Speech problems
  • Headache
  • Mild dizziness
  • Fever
  • Sore throat

If you’re concerned that these side effects are impacting your day-to-day life, talk to your prescribing physician.

More serious side effects that should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention include [3]:

  • Severe drowsiness and dizziness
  • Poor balance or coordination
  • Seizures — if you’re taking gabapentin for a seizure condition and your seizures become worse or more frequent, seek medical help at once
  • Bruising
  • Weakness
  • Swollen glands
  • Yellowing of the eyes or skin

If you have any symptoms that could indicate an allergic reaction, such as hives, swollen tongue, or difficulty breathing, reach out for emergency medical care. [3]

The combination of gabapentin and different kinds of antihistamines like cetirizine and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can increase the severity of the sedative effect. Benzodiazepines can also make you more dizzy or drowsy while taking gabapentin. [4]

Some medications lead to serious health conditions when taken with gabapentin. Hydrocodone, for example, can cause respiratory distress when combined with gabapentin. You must always tell your healthcare provider if you’re taking any other medications — even over-the-counter remedies. [5]

Pill bottle spilling out pills on the table representing gabapentin.

What is Tylenol?

Tylenol is the brand name for a painkiller, and the off-label name is acetaminophen. It’s available as an over-the-counter pain reliever and affects the CNS via the brain and the spinal cord. [6] Tylenol is used for many different types of pain, such as headache, back pain, or other muscular aches and pains. It can also help reduce a fever. However, it’s not so effective for nerve pain or ongoing chronic pain. [7]

Tylenol Side Effects

Tylenol must be taken at the recommended dose to avoid undesirable side effects. Even at the correct dose, mild side effects may include [8]:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Digestive complaints, e.g., diarrhea or constipation
  • Rash
  • Skin irritation (pruritus)
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia
  •  Anxiety

These side effects are classed as common, which means that of people who have reported side effects of Tylenol, 1 to 10% experienced one or more of the above symptoms.

More serious, and rarer, side effects include [8]:

  • Black stools or blood in the stool
  • Hives or severe itchiness
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Bruising and bleeding
  • Problems urinating
  • Fever unrelated to any other condition
  • Yellowing of the eyes or skin

When Tylenol is taken at a very high dose, it can cause permanent liver damage and even death. Tylenol overdose is very dangerous — if you think you’ve taken too much Tylenol, seek medical help immediately.

Does Gabapentin Cause a Drug Interaction with Tylenol?

There are, fortunately, no known drug interactions between Tylenol and gabapentin. That doesn’t mean that there are no possible drug interactions, only that no significant ones have been recorded. If you notice any side effects not mentioned in the patient safety leaflet or believe you have interacted, contact your physician immediately.

Some studies show that combining gabapentin and Tylenol could have positive effects. There’s a concern that some surgical procedures could lead to opioid dependency due to the use of opioid-based pain medications throughout the process. Utilizing a combination of gabapentin and Tylenol before surgery could reduce the reliance on opioids for pain relief, lowering the risk of addiction. [9]

While Gabapentin and Tylenol don’t have any significant reaction, it’s still critical to let your doctor know any time you may need to mix medications. You should also be open and honest about any illicit substances you’re using, as these could dramatically alter the effects of both over-the-counter and prescription medications. If you have concerns about drug use or misuse, including opioid use, alcohol use or dependence, or related topics, reach out to the experts at Southeast Addiction Center.