Is Acetaminophen (Tylenol) HSA/FSA Eligible?
Same rule as ibuprofen. OTC pain and fever relievers are eligible with no prescription and no LMN.
Account rule vs. tax deduction: since January 1, 2020, over-the-counter medicine can be paid from an HSA or FSA without a prescription. CARES Act §3702 removed the prescription requirement from IRC §223 for HSAs, and Pub. 969 states the same rule for FSAs and HRAs. That change covers the accounts only: Pub. 502 still does not allow an itemized deduction for non-prescribed drugs other than insulin.
How the rule applies
Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter drug, and since the 2020 CARES Act that is all that is needed. It does not matter whether the label says pain, fever or headache. Store brands and name brands both work.
What to keep for your records
Save the receipt with the product name. For an FSA, the debit card often settles at the register through an inventory system, but keep the receipt anyway in case the plan asks for it later.
Watch out for
Children's liquid acetaminophen and the adult tablets are both fine. What can cause trouble is a pharmacy bundle that mixes drugs with snacks or beauty items on one line, which makes the claim harder to read.
Where to buy it HSA/FSA-eligible
Pay with your HSA or FSA card directly, or buy elsewhere and save the receipt to submit for reimbursement.
Shop on FSA Store → Shop on HSA Store →Related in OTC Medications
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This ruling applies the HSA/FSA account rules (IRC §223, IRS Pub. 969), the medical-care definition they rely on (IRC §213(d), IRS Pub. 502) and any later statutory change or IRS guidance listed above. It is for informational purposes only. Eligibility can vary slightly by plan administrator — when in doubt, confirm with yours before purchasing.