acetaminophen 500mg product monograph

What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen?
• Use acetaminophen for up to 3 days for fever or up to 10 days for pain(or up to 5 days to treat a child's pain) acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. If the symptoms do not improve, orif they get worse, stop using acetaminophen and see a doctor acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Avoid alcohol during treatment with acetaminophen acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Together, alcoholand acetaminophen can be damaging to the liver acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.

What is acetaminophen?
• Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Acetaminophen is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscleaches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Acetaminophen may also be used for purposes other than those listed inthis medication guide acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen?
• Do not take acetaminophen without first talking to your doctor if youdrink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholicliver disease acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. You may not be able to take acetaminophen, or you may requirea lower dose or special monitoring acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Before taking acetaminophen, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liverdisease acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. You may not be able to take acetaminophen, or you may require a dosageadjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have either of theseconditions acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Acetaminophen is in the FDA pregnancy category B acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. This means that itis unlikely to be harmful to an unborn baby acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Do not take acetaminophen withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Acetaminophen passes into breast milk acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. It appears to be safe for useduring breast-feeding but should be avoided if possible acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Talk to your doctorbefore taking acetaminophen if you are breast-feeding a baby acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• If you are treating a child, read the package carefully and use a pediatricform of the medication if possible acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Talk to a doctor first if the child is youngerthan 2 years of age acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.

How should I take acetaminophen?
• Take acetaminophen exactly as directed by your doctor or follow the instructionson the package acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,nurse, or doctor to explain them to you acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Take each oral dose with a full glass of water acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Acetaminophen can be taken with or without food acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Wash your hands before and after using the rectal suppositories acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Runthe suppository under cold water or put it in the refrigerator for a few minutesbefore using it acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Remove any wrapping from the suppository and moisten the suppositorywith cold water acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Squat, stand, or lie down with one leg straight and the otherbent, in a comfortable position that allows access to the rectal area acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Use yourfinger, or the applicator if one is provided, to deposit the suppository asfar as it will comfortably go into the rectum acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Insert the narrow end first acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Close your legs and lie still for a few minutes acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. If the applicator will be reused,take it apart and wash it with warm water and mild soap, then dry it completely acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Avoid having a bowel movement for at least 1 hour after inserting the suppository acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid forms of acetaminophenwith a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you canget one acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Shake the liquid well before measuring acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Never take more acetaminophen than is directed acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. The maximum amounts foradults are 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Taking moreacetaminophen could be damaging to the liver acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. If you drink more than three alcoholicbeverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Use acetaminophen for up to 3 days for fever or up to 10 days for pain(or up to 5 days to treat a child's pain) acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. If the symptoms do not improve, orif they get worse, stop using acetaminophen and see a doctor acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• If you are treating a child, read the package carefully and use a pediatricform of the medication if possible acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Talk to a doctor first if the child is youngerthan 2 years of age acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Store acetaminophen at room temperature away from heat, moisture, andthe reach of children acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. The rectal suppositories can be stored at room temperatureor in the refrigerator acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• If you are taking acetaminophen on a regular schedule, take the misseddose as soon as you remember acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Wait the prescribed amount of time or as directedin the package labeling before taking another dose acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Do not take a double dose acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• If you are taking acetaminophen on an as-needed basis, missing a doseis not usually a problem acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Take the dose as soon as you remember, and do nottake another dose for the amount of time prescribed or as directed in the packagelabeling acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Symptoms of an acetaminophen overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,abdominal pain, sweating, seizures, confusion, and an irregular heartbeat acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.

What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen?
• Avoid alcohol during treatment with acetaminophen acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Together, alcoholand acetaminophen can be damaging to the liver acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.

What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen?
• If you experience any of the following rare but serious side effects,stop taking acetaminophen and seek emergency medical attention or contact yourdoctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal painor discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue);
· blood problems (easy or unusual bleeding or bruising) acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Other, less serious side effects are not known to occur acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Side effects other than those listed here may occur acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Talk to your doctorabout any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen?
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Acetaminophen may cause false urine glucose test results acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Talk to yourdoctor if you have diabetes and you notice changes in your glucose levels whiletaking acetaminophen acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.
• Other medications may interact with acetaminophen acetaminophen 500mg product monograph. Talk to your doctorand pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,including herbal products while taking acetaminophen acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about acetaminophen writtenfor health professionals that you may read acetaminophen 500mg product monograph.

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