symptoms for an acetaminophen overdose

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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