metabolism of acetaminophen in pediatric

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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