acetaminophen drug information
(a see ta MIH no fen)
Anacin-3 Maximum Strength, Childrens Tylenol, Tylenol, Tylenol Caplet, TylenolCaplet Extra Strength, Tylenol Extended Release, Tylenol Extra Strength, TylenolGelcap Extra Strength, Tylenol Suspension
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 drug information. If the symptoms do not improve, orif they get worse, stop using acetaminophen and see a doctor acetaminophen drug information.
• Avoid alcohol during treatment with acetaminophen acetaminophen drug information. Together, alcoholand acetaminophen can be damaging to the liver acetaminophen drug information.
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts acetaminophen drug information. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day acetaminophen drug information.
What is acetaminophen?
• Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer acetaminophen drug information.
• Acetaminophen is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscleaches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers acetaminophen drug information.
• Acetaminophen may also be used for purposes other than those listed inthis medication guide acetaminophen drug information.
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 drug information. You may not be able to take acetaminophen, or you may requirea lower dose or special monitoring acetaminophen drug information.
• Before taking acetaminophen, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liverdisease acetaminophen drug information. 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 drug information.
• Acetaminophen is in the FDA pregnancy category B acetaminophen drug information. This means that itis unlikely to be harmful to an unborn baby acetaminophen drug information. Do not take acetaminophen withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant acetaminophen drug information.
• Acetaminophen passes into breast milk acetaminophen drug information. It appears to be safe for useduring breast-feeding but should be avoided if possible acetaminophen drug information. Talk to your doctorbefore taking acetaminophen if you are breast-feeding a baby acetaminophen drug information.
• If you are treating a child, read the package carefully and use a pediatricform of the medication if possible acetaminophen drug information. Talk to a doctor first if the child is youngerthan 2 years of age acetaminophen drug information.
How should I take acetaminophen?
• Take acetaminophen exactly as directed by your doctor or follow the instructionson the package acetaminophen drug information. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,nurse, or doctor to explain them to you acetaminophen drug information.
• Take each oral dose with a full glass of water acetaminophen drug information.
• Acetaminophen can be taken with or without food acetaminophen drug information.
• Wash your hands before and after using the rectal suppositories acetaminophen drug information. Runthe suppository under cold water or put it in the refrigerator for a few minutesbefore using it acetaminophen drug information. Remove any wrapping from the suppository and moisten the suppositorywith cold water acetaminophen drug information. Squat, stand, or lie down with one leg straight and the otherbent, in a comfortable position that allows access to the rectal area acetaminophen drug information. Use yourfinger, or the applicator if one is provided, to deposit the suppository asfar as it will comfortably go into the rectum acetaminophen drug information. Insert the narrow end first acetaminophen drug information. Close your legs and lie still for a few minutes acetaminophen drug information. If the applicator will be reused,take it apart and wash it with warm water and mild soap, then dry it completely acetaminophen drug information. Avoid having a bowel movement for at least 1 hour after inserting the suppository acetaminophen drug information.
• 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 drug information. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you canget one acetaminophen drug information. Shake the liquid well before measuring acetaminophen drug information.
• Never take more acetaminophen than is directed acetaminophen drug information. The maximum amounts foradults are 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day acetaminophen drug information. Taking moreacetaminophen could be damaging to the liver acetaminophen drug information. If you drink more than three alcoholicbeverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen acetaminophen drug information.
• 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 drug information. If the symptoms do not improve, orif they get worse, stop using acetaminophen and see a doctor acetaminophen drug information.
• If you are treating a child, read the package carefully and use a pediatricform of the medication if possible acetaminophen drug information. Talk to a doctor first if the child is youngerthan 2 years of age acetaminophen drug information.
• Store acetaminophen at room temperature away from heat, moisture, andthe reach of children acetaminophen drug information. The rectal suppositories can be stored at room temperatureor in the refrigerator acetaminophen drug information.
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 drug information. Wait the prescribed amount of time or as directedin the package labeling before taking another dose acetaminophen drug information. Do not take a double dose acetaminophen drug information.
• If you are taking acetaminophen on an as-needed basis, missing a doseis not usually a problem acetaminophen drug information. 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 drug information.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention acetaminophen drug information.
• Symptoms of an acetaminophen overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,abdominal pain, sweating, seizures, confusion, and an irregular heartbeat acetaminophen drug information.
What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen?
• Avoid alcohol during treatment with acetaminophen acetaminophen drug information. Together, alcoholand acetaminophen can be damaging to the liver acetaminophen drug information.
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts acetaminophen drug information. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day acetaminophen drug information.
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 drug information.
• Other, less serious side effects are not known to occur acetaminophen drug information.
• Side effects other than those listed here may occur acetaminophen drug information. Talk to your doctorabout any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome acetaminophen drug information.
What other drugs will affect acetaminophen?
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts acetaminophen drug information. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day acetaminophen drug information.
• Acetaminophen may cause false urine glucose test results acetaminophen drug information. Talk to yourdoctor if you have diabetes and you notice changes in your glucose levels whiletaking acetaminophen acetaminophen drug information.
• Other medications may interact with acetaminophen acetaminophen drug information. Talk to your doctorand pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,including herbal products while taking acetaminophen acetaminophen drug information.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about acetaminophen writtenfor health professionals that you may read acetaminophen drug information.
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