dangers of acetaminophen for children

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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