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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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