excessive acetaminophen consumption

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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