acetaminophen dosage for infants

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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