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

What is acetaminophen?
• Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer harmful effects of acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscleaches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers harmful effects of acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen may also be used for purposes other than those listed inthis medication guide harmful effects 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 harmful effects of acetaminophen. You may not be able to take acetaminophen, or you may requirea lower dose or special monitoring harmful effects of acetaminophen.
• Before taking acetaminophen, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liverdisease harmful effects 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 harmful effects of acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen is in the FDA pregnancy category B harmful effects of acetaminophen. This means that itis unlikely to be harmful to an unborn baby harmful effects of acetaminophen. Do not take acetaminophen withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant harmful effects of acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen passes into breast milk harmful effects of acetaminophen. It appears to be safe for useduring breast-feeding but should be avoided if possible harmful effects of acetaminophen. Talk to your doctorbefore taking acetaminophen if you are breast-feeding a baby harmful effects of acetaminophen.
• If you are treating a child, read the package carefully and use a pediatricform of the medication if possible harmful effects of acetaminophen. Talk to a doctor first if the child is youngerthan 2 years of age harmful effects of acetaminophen.

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

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

What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen?
• Avoid alcohol during treatment with acetaminophen harmful effects of acetaminophen. Together, alcoholand acetaminophen can be damaging to the liver harmful effects of acetaminophen.
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts harmful effects of acetaminophen. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day harmful effects 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) harmful effects of acetaminophen.
• Other, less serious side effects are not known to occur harmful effects of acetaminophen.
• Side effects other than those listed here may occur harmful effects of acetaminophen. Talk to your doctorabout any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome harmful effects of acetaminophen.

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

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

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