acetaminophen and mechanism of action

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 and mechanism of action. If the symptoms do not improve, orif they get worse, stop using acetaminophen and see a doctor acetaminophen and mechanism of action.
• Avoid alcohol during treatment with acetaminophen acetaminophen and mechanism of action. Together, alcoholand acetaminophen can be damaging to the liver acetaminophen and mechanism of action.
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts acetaminophen and mechanism of action. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day acetaminophen and mechanism of action.

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

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 and mechanism of action. You may not be able to take acetaminophen, or you may requirea lower dose or special monitoring acetaminophen and mechanism of action.
• Before taking acetaminophen, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liverdisease acetaminophen and mechanism of action. 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 and mechanism of action.
• Acetaminophen is in the FDA pregnancy category B acetaminophen and mechanism of action. This means that itis unlikely to be harmful to an unborn baby acetaminophen and mechanism of action. Do not take acetaminophen withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant acetaminophen and mechanism of action.
• Acetaminophen passes into breast milk acetaminophen and mechanism of action. It appears to be safe for useduring breast-feeding but should be avoided if possible acetaminophen and mechanism of action. Talk to your doctorbefore taking acetaminophen if you are breast-feeding a baby acetaminophen and mechanism of action.
• If you are treating a child, read the package carefully and use a pediatricform of the medication if possible acetaminophen and mechanism of action. Talk to a doctor first if the child is youngerthan 2 years of age acetaminophen and mechanism of action.

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

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 and mechanism of action. Wait the prescribed amount of time or as directedin the package labeling before taking another dose acetaminophen and mechanism of action. Do not take a double dose acetaminophen and mechanism of action.
• If you are taking acetaminophen on an as-needed basis, missing a doseis not usually a problem acetaminophen and mechanism of action. 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 and mechanism of action.

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

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

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 and mechanism of action.
• Other, less serious side effects are not known to occur acetaminophen and mechanism of action.
• Side effects other than those listed here may occur acetaminophen and mechanism of action. Talk to your doctorabout any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome acetaminophen and mechanism of action.

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

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about acetaminophen writtenfor health professionals that you may read acetaminophen and mechanism of action.

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