Why Is Tylenol Advised After Knee Surgery?

Posted on Sun, 26 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 26 Oct 2014 Answered on

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having knee surgery on Monday and was supposed to take 500 mg of Tylenol Extra Strength 2 tables 3 times a day, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I have just discovered that what I have been taking is 650 mg, 2 tables, 3 times a day. I have taken 3900 mg each day instead of the 1000 mg. I am supposed to take two this evening and take 3 times on Sunday. I am way over the 3000 mg. for the 3 days. What is going to happen with the surgery. Why am I taking the Tylenol?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Tylenol overdose

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Tylenol is given for pain relief, it looks like you have accidentally over dosed yourself. I strongly recommend that you stop taking Tylenol and approach the hospital for a liver function test. The doses at which you have taken might cause acute fulminant hepatitis.
If I were to be your doctor I would wait for 2 days for blood levels of Tylenol to come down before taking you up for surgery and also get liver function tests along with coagulation profile done just before the surgery.

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar