uses for 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) uses for acetaminophen. If the symptoms do not improve, orif they get worse, stop using acetaminophen and see a doctor uses for acetaminophen.
• Avoid alcohol during treatment with acetaminophen uses for acetaminophen. Together, alcoholand acetaminophen can be damaging to the liver uses for acetaminophen.
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts uses for acetaminophen. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day uses for acetaminophen.
What is acetaminophen?
• Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer uses for acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscleaches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers uses for acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen may also be used for purposes other than those listed inthis medication guide uses 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 uses for acetaminophen. You may not be able to take acetaminophen, or you may requirea lower dose or special monitoring uses for acetaminophen.
• Before taking acetaminophen, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liverdisease uses 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 uses for acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen is in the FDA pregnancy category B uses for acetaminophen. This means that itis unlikely to be harmful to an unborn baby uses for acetaminophen. Do not take acetaminophen withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant uses for acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen passes into breast milk uses for acetaminophen. It appears to be safe for useduring breast-feeding but should be avoided if possible uses for acetaminophen. Talk to your doctorbefore taking acetaminophen if you are breast-feeding a baby uses for acetaminophen.
• If you are treating a child, read the package carefully and use a pediatricform of the medication if possible uses for acetaminophen. Talk to a doctor first if the child is youngerthan 2 years of age uses for acetaminophen.
How should I take acetaminophen?
• Take acetaminophen exactly as directed by your doctor or follow the instructionson the package uses for acetaminophen. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,nurse, or doctor to explain them to you uses for acetaminophen.
• Take each oral dose with a full glass of water uses for acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen can be taken with or without food uses for acetaminophen.
• Wash your hands before and after using the rectal suppositories uses for acetaminophen. Runthe suppository under cold water or put it in the refrigerator for a few minutesbefore using it uses for acetaminophen. Remove any wrapping from the suppository and moisten the suppositorywith cold water uses 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 uses for acetaminophen. Use yourfinger, or the applicator if one is provided, to deposit the suppository asfar as it will comfortably go into the rectum uses for acetaminophen. Insert the narrow end first uses for acetaminophen. Close your legs and lie still for a few minutes uses for acetaminophen. If the applicator will be reused,take it apart and wash it with warm water and mild soap, then dry it completely uses for acetaminophen. Avoid having a bowel movement for at least 1 hour after inserting the suppository uses 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 uses for acetaminophen. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you canget one uses for acetaminophen. Shake the liquid well before measuring uses for acetaminophen.
• Never take more acetaminophen than is directed uses for acetaminophen. The maximum amounts foradults are 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day uses for acetaminophen. Taking moreacetaminophen could be damaging to the liver uses for acetaminophen. If you drink more than three alcoholicbeverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen uses 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) uses for acetaminophen. If the symptoms do not improve, orif they get worse, stop using acetaminophen and see a doctor uses for acetaminophen.
• If you are treating a child, read the package carefully and use a pediatricform of the medication if possible uses for acetaminophen. Talk to a doctor first if the child is youngerthan 2 years of age uses for acetaminophen.
• Store acetaminophen at room temperature away from heat, moisture, andthe reach of children uses for acetaminophen. The rectal suppositories can be stored at room temperatureor in the refrigerator uses 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 uses for acetaminophen. Wait the prescribed amount of time or as directedin the package labeling before taking another dose uses for acetaminophen. Do not take a double dose uses for acetaminophen.
• If you are taking acetaminophen on an as-needed basis, missing a doseis not usually a problem uses 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 uses for acetaminophen.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention uses for acetaminophen.
• Symptoms of an acetaminophen overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,abdominal pain, sweating, seizures, confusion, and an irregular heartbeat uses for acetaminophen.
What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen?
• Avoid alcohol during treatment with acetaminophen uses for acetaminophen. Together, alcoholand acetaminophen can be damaging to the liver uses for acetaminophen.
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts uses for acetaminophen. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day uses 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) uses for acetaminophen.
• Other, less serious side effects are not known to occur uses for acetaminophen.
• Side effects other than those listed here may occur uses for acetaminophen. Talk to your doctorabout any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome uses for acetaminophen.
What other drugs will affect acetaminophen?
• Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescriptionproducts uses for acetaminophen. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amountof acetaminophen per dose or per day uses for acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen may cause false urine glucose test results uses for acetaminophen. Talk to yourdoctor if you have diabetes and you notice changes in your glucose levels whiletaking acetaminophen uses for acetaminophen.
• Other medications may interact with acetaminophen uses for acetaminophen. Talk to your doctorand pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,including herbal products while taking acetaminophen uses for acetaminophen.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about acetaminophen writtenfor health professionals that you may read uses for acetaminophen.
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