Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? No
- Available as generic? Yes
- Drug class: Analgesic, fever-reducer
Uses
Treatment of mild to moderate pain and fever. Acetaminophen
does not relieve redness, stiffness or swelling of joints
or tissue inflammation. Use aspirin or other drugs for inflammation.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid.
Effervescent granules--Dissolve granules in 4 oz. of cool
water. Drink all the water.
Elixir--Swallow with liquid.
Suppositories--Remove wrapper and moisten suppository with
water. Gently insert larger end into rectum. Push well into
rectum with finger.
Powder--Sprinkle over liquid, then swallow.
When to take:
As needed, no more often than every 3 hours.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Wait 3 hours for next dose.
What drug does:
May affect hypothalamus--part of brain that helps regulate
body heat and receives body's pain messages.
Time lapse before drug works:
15 to 30 minutes. May last 4 hours.
Don't take with:
Other drugs with acetaminophen. Too much acetaminophen can
damage liver and kidneys.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Stomach upset, irritability, sweating, diarrhea, loss of appetite,
abdominal cramps, convulsions, coma.
WHAT TO DO:
- Call your doctor or poison-control center for advice if
you suspect overdose, even if not sure. Symptoms may not
appear until damage has occurred.
- See EMERGENCY Information.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
In case of overdose, see Overdose section.
Common:
Infrequent:
- Trembling.
- Pain in lower back or side.
Rare:
- Extreme fatigue; rash, itch, hives; sore throat and fever
after taking regularly a few days; unexplained bleeding
or bruising; blood in urine; painful or frequent urination;
jaundice; anemia.
- Decreased volume of urine output.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
- You are allergic to acetaminophen.
- Your symptoms don't improve after 2 days' use. Call your
doctor.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have kidney disease or liver damage.
Over age 60:
Don't exceed recommended dose. You can't eliminate drug as
efficiently as younger persons.
Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child. Avoid if possible.
Breast-feeding:
No proven harm to nursing infant.
Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.
Prolonged use:
- May affect blood system and cause anemia. Limit use to
5 days for children 12 and under, and 10 days for adults.
- Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical
examinations or laboratory studies to check liver function,
kidney function.
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel drowsy. Otherwise, no restrictions.
Discontinuing:
Discontinue in 2 days if symptoms don't improve.
Others:
May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
