therapeutic acetaminophen dose in children

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about acetaminophen writtenfor health professionals that you may read therapeutic acetaminophen dose in children.

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