{"id":7672,"date":"2019-12-27T13:00:57","date_gmt":"2019-12-27T18:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=7672"},"modified":"2026-01-07T12:58:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T17:58:50","slug":"is-tylenol-an-nsaid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/is-tylenol-an-nsaid\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Tylenol an NSAID?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over-the-counter (OTC) medication is often the first line of defense against headaches, joint discomfort, and other minor ailments. <\/span>Tylenol<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>acetaminophen<\/span><\/a>) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are OTC medicines used to treat mild-to-moderate aches and pains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NSAIDs are not only designed to lessen or eliminate the feeling of pain, but they also reduce inflammation as well. Many individuals are unclear whether or not Tylenol, the brand name for acetaminophen, is an NSAID. Tylenol is an analgesic (pain reliever), but it does not have anti-inflammatory properties, so Tylenol is not an NSAID.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about the differences between Tylenol and NSAIDs, their side effects, and which medication is better for the different types of pain you may experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the differences between Tylenol and NSAIDs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Acetaminophen blocks the brain from sending signals of pain to affected areas of the body. It is also a fever reducer. In addition to being the active ingredient in Tylenol, acetaminophen is found in numerous brand-name products, such as <\/span>NyQuil Cold and Flu<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>DayQuil<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Alka-Seltzer Plus<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Excedrin<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While Tylenol may be useful for mild-to-moderate pain relief associated with headaches, menstrual cramps, toothaches, and so forth, an NSAID, like <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/a>, may be more suitable if there is inflammation or swelling associated with the pain. Some arthritis pain, joint pain, muscle aches, back pain, and sprains may benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of an NSAID.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to choose the right over-the-counter pain reliever<\/span><\/h2>\n

When choosing an OTC pain reliever, it is helpful to know the generic name of the medicine and if it is an NSAID. There are several factors that will help you determine which pain reliever is the best choice for you. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n