signs of acetaminophen poisoning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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