Can you take Tylenol with Suboxone?

Yes, you can take a standard dose of Tylenol while you’re using Suboxone. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires drug manufacturers to list known medication interactions. Suboxone’s manufacturer does not include Tylenol in its known drug/drug interactions list.[1]

While you can take an occasional dose of a painkiller like Tylenol to ease an occasional twinge or ache, never use medications like this regularly without talking to your doctor first. And if you’re tempted to take more Tylenol than the manufacturer recommends, talk with your doctor. 

Can You Take Tylenol PM With Suboxone?

Tylenol comes in two formulations: Tylenol and Tylenol PM. Both are painkillers, and both aren’t known to interact with Suboxone. 

If your pain keeps you from sleeping, Tylenol PM may seem like a good choice. This over-the-counter solution contains an antihistamine, which can make some people feel sleepy. While it is still generally safe to take while you are on Suboxone, it may make you feel even more sleepy when used in combination with Suboxone, which can also be sedating. Talk to your doctor about whether its ok to use Suboxone in combination with Tylenol PM. 

Other Non-Opioid Options You Can Take With Suboxone

Aches and pains are (unfortunately) a common part of life and you may need to take pain medications while on Suboxone. Most non-opioid medications are generally safe to take while on Suboxone, including Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Naproxen (Aleve), Ibuprofen (Motrin) etc. 

However, there are other pain medications that are prescription medications only that may NOT be safe to take with Suboxone. The pain medications that may be hazardous to take along with Suboxone are any medications that can also cause drowsiness or sedation. These include medications like the gabapentinoids (Neurontin, Lyrica) or muscle relaxers (Tizanidine, Cyclobenzaprine, Methocarbamol, etc). 

Remember: Talk to Your Doctor First 

Over-the-counter medications are generally safe to take in combination with Suboxone, but if you have any doubts it is always best to talk to your doctor. 

Talk with your doctor about your pain control needs while on Suboxone. Together, you can find safe combinations of drugs to use for pain while still continuing your Suboxone therapy. 

SOURCES

1. Suboxone Prescribing Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6736a2.htm. February 2018. Accessed November 2022. 
2. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Chronic Insomnia in Adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Sleep Medicine. https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.6470. February 2017. Accessed November 2022. 
3. Acetaminophen Metabolism. Up To Date. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/image?imageKey=PEDS%2F68213&topicKey=EM%2F340&source=see_link. Accessed November 2022. 
4. A Review of the Pharmacogenomics of Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. Journal of Translational Genetics and Genomics. https://jtggjournal.com/article/view/3573. 2020. Accessed November 2022.
5. Prevalence of Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain Among Adults, United States, 2016. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6736a2.htm. November 2018. Accessed November 2022. 
6. Managing Pain in the Setting of Opioid Use Disorder. Pain Management Nursing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6980723/. February 2020. Accessed November 2022.