Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? High strength: Yes Low strength:
No Yes, for some combinations
- Available as generic? No
- Drug class: Analgesic, fever-reducer, anti-inflammatory
(non- steroidal)
Uses
- Treatment of mild pain and fever.
- Salicylates are useful in the treatment of inflammatory
conditions such as stiffness, swelling, joint pain of arthritis
or rheumatism. For long term use for inflammatory problems,
separate drugs instead of this combination may be safer
and more effective.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet or capsule--swallow with liquid.
Effervescent granules--dissolve granules in 4 oz. of cool
water.
When to take:
As needed, no more often than every 3 hours or as prescribed
by your doctor.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Wait 3 hours for next dose.
What drug does:
May affect hypothalamus, the part of the brain that helps
regulate body heat and receives body's pain messages.
May affect production of prostaglandins to reduce inflammation.
Time lapse before drug works:
15 to 30 minutes. May last 4 hours.
Don't take with:
Other drugs with acetaminophen or aspirin or other salicylates.
Too much can cause damage to liver, kidneys and peripheral
nerves.
Any laxative containing cellulose.
If medicine you take has a buffering agent added, don't take
with tetracyclines.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Ringing in ears; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; dizziness; fever;
deep, rapid breathing; hallucinations; coma; unusual sweating;
blood in urine; thirst; vision problems; nervousness.
WHAT TO DO:
- Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance
or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
- See EMERGENCY Information.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
In case of overdose, see Overdose section.
Common:
- Jaundice, vomiting blood, black stools, cloudy urine,
nausea and vomiting, unexplained tiredness, discomfort on
urinating.
- Indigestion or heartburn.
Infrequent:
Shortness of breath; wheezing (for medicines containing aspirin);
decreased urine volume; feet swelling; black or tarry stools;
pain on urinating; nausea and vomiting; skin rash, hives;
sore throat, fever; easy bruising.
Rare:
- While taking medicine: Sudden decrease in urine volume.
- After discontinuing medicine: Swelling of feet; rapid
weight gain; bloating or puffiness; any urinary problems,
such as painful, cloudy or bloody urine.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
- You are allergic to acetaminophen or any salicylates*.
- Your symptoms don't improve after 3 days' use.
- You take a buffered form and need to restrict sodium in
your diet.
- You have a peptic ulcer.
- You have a bleeding disorder.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you have ever had peptic ulcers.
- If you have had gout.
- If you have asthma or nasal polyps.
- If you have kidney disease or liver damage.
Over age 60:
Don't exceed recommended dose. More likely to be harmful to
kidney and liver or cause hidden bleeding in stomach or intestines.
Watch for black stools or decreased urine output.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until
you finish medicine. Consult doctor on maintaining milk supply.
Infants & children:
Overdose frequent and severe. Keep bottles out of children's
reach. Consult doctor before giving to persons under age 18
who have fever and discomfort of viral illness, especially
chicken pox and influenza. Probably increases risk of Reye's
syndrome*.
Prolonged use:
- High doses for severe inflammatory conditions taken for
long periods may increase likelihood of kidney damage.
- Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical
examinations or laboratory studies to check liver function,
kidney function.
Skin & sunlight:
Aspirin combined with sunscreen may decrease sunburn.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected unless you feel drowsy.
Discontinuing:
No problems expected.
Others:
- Children up to 12 years--Don't take more than 5 doses
per day for more than 5 consecutive days.
- Adults--Don't take for more than 10 consecutive days.
- Urine test for sugar may be inaccurate.
- Don't take if container has a strong vinegar-like odor.
- May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
