* Generic Name: acetaminophen
* Brand Name: Tylenol
* What is acetaminophen?
* What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen?
* What is the most important information I should know about
acetaminophen?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
acetaminophen?
* How should I take acetaminophen?
* What happens if I miss a dose?
* What happens if I overdose?
* What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen?
* What other drugs will affect acetaminophen?
* Where can I get more information?
What is acetaminophen?
There are many brands and forms of acetaminophen available. Not all
brands are listed on this leaflet.
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.
Acetaminophen is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscle
aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers.
Acetaminophen may also be used for purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can
be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the
past and had no reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your
doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and
causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you
should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.
Stop taking acetaminophen and call your doctor at once if you have:
* nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite;
* dark urine, clay-colored stools; or
* jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen?
You should not use this medication if you have severe liver
disease.
An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.
* Adults and teenagers who weigh at least 110 pounds should not take
more than 1000 milligrams (mg) at one time, or more than 4000 mg in
24 hours.
* Children younger than 12 years old should not take more than 5
doses in 24 hours, using only the number of milligrams per dose
that is recommended for the child's weight and age. Use exactly as
directed on the label.
Avoid also using other medicines that contain acetaminophen (sometimes
abbreviated as APAP), or you could have a fatal overdose.
Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper
stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or
jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).
Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have
skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
acetaminophen?
You should not take acetaminophen if you are allergic to it, or if you
have severe liver disease.
Do not take acetaminophen without a doctor's advice if you have ever
had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3
alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take acetaminophen.
Your doctor will determine whether acetaminophen is safe for you to use
during pregnancy. Do not use this medicine without the advice of your
doctor if you are pregnant.
Acetaminophen can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without
the advice of a doctor.
How should I take acetaminophen?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not take more than your recommended dose. An overdose of
acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.
* Adults and teenagers who weigh at least 110 pounds (50 kilograms):
Do not take more than 1000 milligrams (mg) at one time. Do not take
more than 4000 mg in 24 hours.
* Children younger than 12 years old: Do not take more than 5 doses
of acetaminophen in 24 hours. Use only the number of milligrams per
dose that is recommended for the child's weight and age. Use
exactly as directed on the label.
* Avoid also using other medicines that contain acetaminophen, or you
could have a fatal overdose.
If you are treating a child, use a pediatric form of acetaminophen. Use
only the special dose-measuring dropper or oral syringe that comes with
the specific pediatric form you are using. Carefully follow the dosing
directions on the medicine label.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a
special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a
dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Acetaminophen made for infants is available in two different dose
concentrations, and each concentration comes with its own medicine
dropper or oral syringe. These dosing devices are not equal between the
different concentrations. Using the wrong device may cause you to give
your child an overdose of acetaminophen. Never mix and match dosing
devices between infant formulations of acetaminophen.
You may need to shake the liquid before each use. Follow the directions
on the medicine label.
The chewable tablet must be chewed thoroughly before you swallow it.
Make sure your hands are dry when handling the acetaminophen
disintegrating tablet. Place the tablet on your tongue. It will begin
to dissolve right away. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to
dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
To use the acetaminophen effervescent granules, dissolve one packet of
the granules in at least 4 ounces of water. Stir this mixture and drink
all of it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a
little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
Stop taking acetaminophen and call your doctor if:
* you still have a fever after 3 days of use;
* you still have pain after 7 days of use (or 5 days if treating a
child);
* you have a skin rash, ongoing headache, or any redness or swelling;
or
* if your symptoms get worse, or if you have any new symptoms.
This medication can cause unusual results with certain lab tests
for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that
you are using acetaminophen.
Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture.
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What happens if I miss a dose?
Since acetaminophen is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing
schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you
remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next
scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222. An overdose of acetaminophen can be fatal.
The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite,
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or
weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach,
dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen?
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy,
pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as
APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain
products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can
lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains
acetaminophen or APAP.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while
taking acetaminophen.
What other drugs will affect acetaminophen?
Other drugs may interact with acetaminophen, including prescription and
over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your
doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or
stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about acetaminophen.
__________________________________________________________________
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United
States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill,
knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe,
effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the
aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is
not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions,
warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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