Are there side effects from combining acetaminophen with caffeine or cold medicine?

Combining acetaminophen with caffeine or cold medicine can have side effects. Using too much acetaminophen, especially with other medicines, can lead to headaches that happen from taking too much medicine. This is called medication overuse headaches.

• Medication Overuse Headaches: When you take pain medicine like acetaminophen too often, it can cause headaches instead of helping them. This can happen with or without caffeine.
• Liver Problems: Acetaminophen can hurt your liver if you take too much. This is even more likely if you take it with other medicines that also have acetaminophen. Always check if your cold medicine has acetaminophen, so you don't accidentally take too much.

It's important to follow the directions on the medicine bottle and not take more than it says. If you're not sure, ask a grown-up or a healthcare provider for help.