Top Brands for Tylenol: Trusted Names in Pain Relief

Discovering the best brands for Tylenol can be a vital step in ensuring effective and safe pain relief. Tylenol, known generically as acetaminophen, is a staple in many households for its ability to alleviate headaches, reduce fevers, and ease other minor aches and pains. With numerous brands offering their versions, finding the most reliable and efficient options can sometimes be challenging. Below, we explore some of the top brands renowned for their quality, efficacy, and trustworthiness in delivering acetaminophen products.

Illustration of tylenol

Best brands of tylenol in 2025

Tylenol

Tylenol, produced by Johnson & Johnson, stands as one of the most trusted and successful over-the-counter pain relievers, having held a 37% market share in the painkiller field and contributing to 19% of Johnson & Johnson's corporate profits in 1982. Despite a significant crisis in 1982 involving cyanide-laced capsules, the company's swift and transparent response helped restore public trust, and Tylenol became the first product to use tamper-resistant packaging just six months later. Today, Tylenol remains a leader, with the acetaminophen market, which includes Tylenol, projected to grow at a 4.2% CAGR to reach $15.2 billion by 2033. The oral route of administration dominates this market with a 92.4% share, and Tylenol's sales are a significant contributor to Johnson & Johnson's consumer health segment, which saw a 3.9% adjusted operational sales growth in 2022. Johnson & Johnson's handling of the Tylenol crisis is often cited as a model for crisis management. For further details, visit their Tylenol product page.

Equate

The claim that Equate by Walmart is one of the best producers for a product comparable to Tylenol is misleading. A class action lawsuit alleges that Walmart's Equate Extra Strength Acetaminophen PM Rapid Release Gelcaps are not as effective as Tylenol, despite being marketed as comparable. The lawsuit states that the Walmart product does not contain the same rapid release technology as Tylenol and dissolves slower than other non-rapid release acetaminophen products from Walmart. This deception has led consumers to pay a premium price for a less effective product. The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief, including actual damages and punitive damages.

Kirkland Signature

Kirkland Signature, Costco's private label brand, is not a producer of Tylenol, but it does offer a comparable acetaminophen product. Kirkland Signature Rapid Release Acetaminophen is designed to compare to Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Release, containing 500mg of acetaminophen per gelcap. Since its introduction in 1995, Kirkland Signature has maintained positive growth, with its products often priced 20% less than national brands. The brand encompasses over 350 items, including various household and consumer goods, and its penetration rate has grown to the high 20s percent as of recent reports. This growth underscores the brand's value proposition and quality, making it a preferred choice for many consumers.

CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading producer of Tylenol and other acetaminophen products, known for their high-quality and effective pain relief solutions. In 2023, CVS Health reported a significant increase in total revenues, up 11.9% to $93.8 billion, highlighting their strong market presence. Their Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment saw an 8.6% increase in total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2023, driven by pharmacy drug mix and increased prescription volume. CVS Health's commitment to customer satisfaction is evident through their 100% satisfaction guarantee on store-branded items. The company's extensive product line, including Tylenol Regular Strength Acetaminophen 325 mg tablets and CVS Health Extra Strength Acetaminophen 500 mg caplets, ensures comprehensive pain relief options.

Rite Aid

Rite Aid, although not the manufacturer of Tylenol, is a significant retailer of Tylenol and other analgesic products. Tylenol, a brand owned by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, held 11.1% of the internal analgesic tablet sales in the United States as of 2019. Rite Aid, with its extensive network of stores, plays a crucial role in distributing these products. As of 2023, Rite Aid operates 2,309 stores across the U.S., making it a key player in the pharmacy and drug store market. Despite financial challenges, Rite Aid remains a major outlet for over-the-counter medications like Tylenol.

Walgreens

Walgreens is a leading retailer that offers a variety of Tylenol and acetaminophen products, leveraging its extensive network of over 9,000 locations in the U.S. as of 2017. In the pain relief market, Tylenol, often sold through Walgreens, generated significant revenue, with Tylenol alone accounting for about 6.4% of the segment's revenue in 2013. Walgreens' strong presence in the pharmacy and drug store sector, with sales of $56.5 billion in 2017, makes it a key distributor for such brands. The company's wide range of acetaminophen products, including extra strength and extended-release tablets, caters to diverse consumer needs. Walgreens' competitive pricing and promotional offers, such as "Buy 1, Get 1 50% OFF," enhance its market appeal.

Up & Up

Up & Up, the store brand of Target, is a significant player in the acetaminophen market, offering a cost-effective alternative to Tylenol. While it is not one of the top four brands by market share like Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, and Excedrin, it still captures a substantial portion of the market due to its affordability and quality. The global acetaminophen market, which includes store brands like Up & Up, was valued at USD 9.8 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% to reach USD 15.2 billion by 2033. The oral route of administration, which includes tablets and liquid suspensions, dominates the market with a share of about 92.4%, indicating a strong demand for products like Up & Up acetaminophen. For more information, visit Up & Up acetaminophen on the Target website.

Amazon Basic Care

Amazon's Basic Care brand, launched in August 2017, offers a range of over-the-counter medications, including pain relief options similar to Tylenol, with 60 items produced exclusively by healthcare supplier Perrigo. This brand is sold alongside name-brand medications like Tylenol and Advil, as well as other private-labels, on Amazon's platform. Basic Care includes products for allergies, colds, digestion, and more, catering to a wide range of consumer health needs. Amazon's foray into the healthcare market is part of its broader strategy to expand into daily consumer expenditures, with U.S. healthcare spending reaching $3.3 trillion in 2016. This move has significant implications for traditional drugstore retailers and the healthcare sector as a whole. For further details, visit their announcement on Amazon's healthcare venture.

GoodSense

GoodSense, a brand known for its high-quality over-the-counter (OTC) medications, is a significant producer of acetaminophen products, often compared to Tylenol. The demand for GoodSense acetaminophen has been driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic pain and fever, with the global OTC analgesics market projected to reach around USD 40,930 million by 2032. In 2023, the global OTC analgesics market size was estimated at USD 29,520 million, with acetaminophen being a dominant segment due to its effectiveness in treating pain and fever. The COVID-19 pandemic also boosted sales of acetaminophen, as patients sought relief from fever and other symptoms. GoodSense benefits from this trend, offering affordable and reliable alternatives to branded products. You can explore their acetaminophen options online.

Members Mark

Member's Mark, the brand by Sam's Club, is not a producer of Tylenol, but rather Tylenol is a product of McNeil Consumer Products, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Tylenol held over 35% of the over-the-counter pain reliever market before the 1982 crisis and regained its market share within a year after a massive recall and safety measures implementation. Tylenol's swift recovery was a result of Johnson & Johnson's proactive and transparent response, including a recall of over 31 million bottles. This crisis led to significant changes in product safety, including the establishment of federal guidelines for tamper-proof packaging by the FDA in 1989. The incident is a landmark case study in crisis management. You can explore more about Member's Mark pain relief options on their website.