structure of acetaminophen
(a see ta MIH no fen)
Anacin-3 Maximum Strength, Childrens Tylenol, Tylenol, Tylenol Caplet, TylenolCaplet Extra Strength, Tylenol Extended Release, Tylenol Extra Strength, TylenolGelcap Extra Strength, Tylenol Suspension
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) structure of acetaminophen. If the symptoms do not improve, orif they get worse, stop using acetaminophen and see a doctor structure of acetaminophen.
• Avoid alcohol during treatment with acetaminophen structure of acetaminophen. Together, alcoholand acetaminophen can be damaging to the liver structure of acetaminophen.
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts structure of acetaminophen. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day structure of acetaminophen.
What is acetaminophen?
• Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer structure of acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscleaches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers structure of acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen may also be used for purposes other than those listed inthis medication guide structure 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 structure of acetaminophen. You may not be able to take acetaminophen, or you may requirea lower dose or special monitoring structure of acetaminophen.
• Before taking acetaminophen, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liverdisease structure 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 structure of acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen is in the FDA pregnancy category B structure of acetaminophen. This means that itis unlikely to be harmful to an unborn baby structure of acetaminophen. Do not take acetaminophen withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant structure of acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen passes into breast milk structure of acetaminophen. It appears to be safe for useduring breast-feeding but should be avoided if possible structure of acetaminophen. Talk to your doctorbefore taking acetaminophen if you are breast-feeding a baby structure of acetaminophen.
• If you are treating a child, read the package carefully and use a pediatricform of the medication if possible structure of acetaminophen. Talk to a doctor first if the child is youngerthan 2 years of age structure of acetaminophen.
How should I take acetaminophen?
• Take acetaminophen exactly as directed by your doctor or follow the instructionson the package structure of acetaminophen. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,nurse, or doctor to explain them to you structure of acetaminophen.
• Take each oral dose with a full glass of water structure of acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen can be taken with or without food structure of acetaminophen.
• Wash your hands before and after using the rectal suppositories structure of acetaminophen. Runthe suppository under cold water or put it in the refrigerator for a few minutesbefore using it structure of acetaminophen. Remove any wrapping from the suppository and moisten the suppositorywith cold water structure 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 structure of acetaminophen. Use yourfinger, or the applicator if one is provided, to deposit the suppository asfar as it will comfortably go into the rectum structure of acetaminophen. Insert the narrow end first structure of acetaminophen. Close your legs and lie still for a few minutes structure of acetaminophen. If the applicator will be reused,take it apart and wash it with warm water and mild soap, then dry it completely structure of acetaminophen. Avoid having a bowel movement for at least 1 hour after inserting the suppository structure 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 structure of acetaminophen. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you canget one structure of acetaminophen. Shake the liquid well before measuring structure of acetaminophen.
• Never take more acetaminophen than is directed structure of acetaminophen. The maximum amounts foradults are 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day structure of acetaminophen. Taking moreacetaminophen could be damaging to the liver structure of acetaminophen. If you drink more than three alcoholicbeverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen structure 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) structure of acetaminophen. If the symptoms do not improve, orif they get worse, stop using acetaminophen and see a doctor structure of acetaminophen.
• If you are treating a child, read the package carefully and use a pediatricform of the medication if possible structure of acetaminophen. Talk to a doctor first if the child is youngerthan 2 years of age structure of acetaminophen.
• Store acetaminophen at room temperature away from heat, moisture, andthe reach of children structure of acetaminophen. The rectal suppositories can be stored at room temperatureor in the refrigerator structure 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 structure of acetaminophen. Wait the prescribed amount of time or as directedin the package labeling before taking another dose structure of acetaminophen. Do not take a double dose structure of acetaminophen.
• If you are taking acetaminophen on an as-needed basis, missing a doseis not usually a problem structure 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 structure of acetaminophen.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention structure of acetaminophen.
• Symptoms of an acetaminophen overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,abdominal pain, sweating, seizures, confusion, and an irregular heartbeat structure of acetaminophen.
What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen?
• Avoid alcohol during treatment with acetaminophen structure of acetaminophen. Together, alcoholand acetaminophen can be damaging to the liver structure of acetaminophen.
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts structure of acetaminophen. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day structure 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) structure of acetaminophen.
• Other, less serious side effects are not known to occur structure of acetaminophen.
• Side effects other than those listed here may occur structure of acetaminophen. Talk to your doctorabout any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome structure of acetaminophen.
What other drugs will affect acetaminophen?
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts structure of acetaminophen. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day structure of acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen may cause false urine glucose test results structure of acetaminophen. Talk to yourdoctor if you have diabetes and you notice changes in your glucose levels whiletaking acetaminophen structure of acetaminophen.
• Other medications may interact with acetaminophen structure of acetaminophen. Talk to your doctorand pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,including herbal products while taking acetaminophen structure of acetaminophen.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about acetaminophen writtenfor health professionals that you may read structure of acetaminophen.
|
