acetaminophen chemical structure

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about acetaminophen writtenfor health professionals that you may read acetaminophen chemical structure.

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