Can You Take Tylenol and Melatonin Simultaneously?

Can You Take Tylenol with Melatonin? 

There are no serious, proven drug interactions between Tylenol (acetaminophen) and melatonin. This means they are usually safe to take together. They may also be a safer combination than some other alternatives, such as prescription painkillers or prescription sedatives. 

That doesn’t mean there’s no risk of interactions. All drugs can cause side effects, even benign over-the-counter drugs and hormones like melatonin that naturally occur in your body. To reduce the risk of serious issues, try the following: 

• Do not take the drugs for the first time together. Start with one, wait a few days, and then add the other to the regimen. 

• Start with a low dose, and gradually increase it based on your body’s response. 

• Never exceed more than the maximum dosage for either drug. 

• Don’t take either drug for the first time right before driving, watching children without help, or operating heavy machinery. 

Can You Give a Child Tylenol and Melatonin Together? 

Tylenol and melatonin are generally safe in children. However, a fever or pain in a newborn can be a sign of a serious, or even life-threatening, medical condition. Parents should never give a baby younger than 12 weeks old Tylenol or any other drug without consulting a doctor. 

Parents should also not give melatonin to children under the age of 3. This is because sleep irregularities are common in this age. Schedule and behavioral changes work better, and melatonin has not been thoroughly tested in babies and young children.

Parents who want to try the two drugs in older children should know that Tylenol dosing is based on weight, not age. So weigh your child, then give the right dose. Never exceed the recommended dose, or give more in a 24 hour period than the label recommends. 

In general, the appropriate dosage of melatonin for children is as follows: 

• 0.5 to 1 mg in toddlers

• 2.5 to 3mg in school-aged children

• 5 mg in adolescents 

Start with half the recommended dosage, then increase it up to the maximum as needed. 

Tylenol and Liver Health

Taking too much Tylenol can cause severe liver damage, and even death. While many people double the dosage of other drugs without consequence, doing so with Tylenol can kill you. 

The liver helps the body filter other drugs, including over-the-counter and prescription medications and alcohol. This means that, if you damage your liver by taking too much Tylenol, the risk of side effects associated with other drugs also increases. Talk to a doctor before taking Tylenol, or avoid the drug altogether, if:

• You have or think you might have liver disease. 

• You have a history of alcoholism, regularly binge drink, or drink every day. 

• You have or think you might have gallstones. 

Reduce the risk of using Tylenol by:

• Never taking more than the recommended dosage. The maximum you can take in 24 hours is often less than you would take by following the dosing schedule. So err on the side of caution and take less than the recommended 24 hour dosage. 

• Do not take multiple products containing acetaminophen at once. Some prescription painkillers have acetaminophen in them. 

• Don’t drink alcohol while using Tylenol or taking melatonin. 

Final Thoughts

Pain and sleep difficulties often co-occur. Don’t despair. You can get a pain-free and restful night’s sleep by combining Tylenol and melatonin. But if your symptoms continue, talk to a doctor about next steps.