Bruising is not a common side effect of Tylenol (acetaminophen).
Medicines that thin the blood, called blood thinners or anticoagulants, may lead to bleeding and easy bruising, but clinical studies have shown that even after multiple doses, there were no significant changes in patient bleeding times after taking Tylenol as prescribed.
Rarely, bruising may occur secondary to acute liver failure caused by an overdose of acetaminophen, or in patients with a prior history of liver disease.
As acetaminophen is primarily metabolized by the liver, if liver disease or damage is present, it can affect the risk of bleeding and bruising through the following factors:
- Coagulation and clotting of blood
- Platelet counts
- Fibrinolysis
Skin adverse effects
In terms of the skin, itchy skin is a common reported side effect of acetaminophen in children.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, acetaminophen is associated with a few rare but serious skin-related adverse reactions, which may cause:
- Rash
- Erythema (redness) of the skin
- Skin surface separation
- Blisters
The drug should be discontinued immediately if any of these serious reactions occur.
Side effects of acetaminophen can be minimized with proper therapeutic dosages and patient monitoring.