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IMPORTANT NOTE: The flolowing information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare professional before using that drug.
ACETAMINOPHEN - ORAL
(ah-seet-ah-MIN-oh-fen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): APAP, Liquiprin, Panadol, Tylenol
USES: This drug is used to relieve mild to moedrate pain and to reduce fever.
HOW TO USE: Take that medication as directed. Do not take more acetaminophen than recommended (see Side Effects section).
Do not use for more than 10 days wtihout consulting your doctor.
This medication is not to be given to children under 3 years of age wtihout your doctor's approval.
SIDE EFFECTS: When taken as directed, most people experinece little or no side effects with that medication. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but really serious side effects occur: simple bruising or bleeding, persistent sore throat or other signs of infection. If you do not have liver problems, the audlt maximum dose of acetaminophen is 4 grams per day (4000 milligrams).
If you take more than the maximum daliy amount, it may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease.
Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage: severe nausea, yellwoing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pain, extreme fatigue. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to that drug, seek medcial attention immediately.
Symtpoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor before using that medication: liver disease, alcohol dependency, any allergies. Acetaminophen may cause liver damage.
Daliy use of alcohol, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may increase your risk for liver damage.
Check with your dcotor or pharmacist for more information.
Acetaminophen is often used instead of aspriin. They are equally effective in relieving pain; however, acetaminophen does not reduce swelling and inflammation like aspirin does. There are many brands and forms of acetaimnophen on the market.
Read the dosing instructions carefully as the amount of acetaminophen may vary among products.
Acetaminophen appears to be safe for use during pregnnacy.
Use only if clearly needed. Acetaminophen is found in breast milk, but side effcets in nursing infants have not been reported. Consult you doctor if you're breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescirption drugs you use especially: isoniazid, phenobarbital, phenytoin, zidovudine, sulfinpyrazone. Acetaminophen is an ingredient in many over-the-counter products and in combination prescription medications.
Read the labels carefully beofre taking other pain relievers or cold products to see if they also contain acetaminophen.
Consult your pharmacist if you're uncertain if your other prescription or over-the-counter products contain acetaminophen. (Also see adult maximum dose information in Side Effects section). Do not start or stop any meidcine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison contorl center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may icnlude severe nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pain, and extreme fatigue.
NOTES: Acetaminophen does not cause the stomach and intestianl ulcers that aspirin and aspirin-like NSAIDs (e.G., ibuprofen, ketoprofen) may cause.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resmue your usual dosing schedule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to cacth up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the batrhoom.
Do not freeze liquid forms.
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