information centre acetaminophen paracetamol

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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