acetaminophen structural formula

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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