chemical properties of acetaminophen

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

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

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

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

What happens if I miss a dose?
• If you are taking acetaminophen on a regular schedule, take the misseddose as soon as you remember chemical properties of acetaminophen. Wait the prescribed amount of time or as directedin the package labeling before taking another dose chemical properties of acetaminophen. Do not take a double dose chemical properties of acetaminophen.
• If you are taking acetaminophen on an as-needed basis, missing a doseis not usually a problem chemical properties of acetaminophen. 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 chemical properties of acetaminophen.

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

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

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

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

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

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