Acetaminophen Contributions by FoundHealth

Side effects

Acetaminophen is generally well tolerated. It rarely produce side effects especially if taken as directed. However, prolonged or habitual use of acetaminophen may increase one's risk of liver damage.

Rare side effects of acetaminophen include hives, rash and shortness of breath. If these side effects occur, stop taking the medicine and seek immediate medical care.

Warnings

• People with known liver problems are advised against acetaminophen use.

• Patients taking acetaminophen should avoid alcoholic drinks because alcohol can increase the risk of possible damage to the liver.

• Adults should not treat themselves for pain for more than 10 days without checking with a health care professional.

• Acetaminophen is an active ingredient of many over-the-counter medicine. It is important to read the labels carefully to avoid an accidental overdose.

• Acetaminophen can affect the results of some blood-sugar tests used by diabetic patients. People taking drugs for diabetes must check with their doctors before changing their diet or the dose of maintenance medications.

• Patients on cancer chemotherapy or those who are using other immunosuppressive drugs should not take acetaminophen without a doctor's advice. Acetaminophen may mask the signs of infection such as fever or pain.

Drug interactions

Patients should not start taking other medications or dietary supplements without checking with their health care providers. There are many drugs that may not be safe to use with acetaminophen. These include some anticonvulsants, isoniazid and coumarin derivatives.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Avoid other sources of acetaminophen. An overdose may cause dangerous problems.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Avoid or limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor) to less than 3 drinks a day. Drinking too much alcohol may increase the risk of liver disease.

• If you have PKU, talk with healthcare provider. Some products do contain phenylalanine.

• Be careful if you have G6PD deficiency. Anemia may occur.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Yellow skin or eyes.

• Not able to eat.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

Acetaminophen is similar to aspirin though its anti-inflammatory effects are weaker than that of aspirin.

(a seet a MIN oh fen)

Acephen™ [OTC]; APAP 500 [OTC]; Apra [OTC] [DSC]; Aspirin Free Anacin® Extra Strength [OTC]; Cetafen® Extra [OTC]; Cetafen® [OTC]; Excedrin® Tension Headache [OTC]; FeverALL® [OTC]; Genapap™ Extra Strength [OTC] [DSC]; Genapap™ Infant [OTC] [DSC]; Genapap™ [OTC] [DSC]; Genebs Extra Strength [OTC]; Genebs [OTC] [DSC]; Infantaire [OTC]; Little Fevers™ [OTC]; Mapap Children's [OTC]; Mapap Extra Strength [OTC]; Mapap Infants [OTC]; Mapap Jr. Strength [OTC]; Mapap [OTC]; Nortemp Children's [OTC]; Pain Eze [OTC]; Silapap Children's [OTC]; Silapap Infant's [OTC]; Tycolene Maximum Strength [OTC]; Tycolene [OTC] [DSC]; Tylenol® 8 Hour [OTC]; Tylenol® Arthritis Pain Extended Relief [OTC]; Tylenol® Children's Meltaways [OTC]; Tylenol® Children's [OTC]; Tylenol® Extra Strength [OTC]; Tylenol® Infant's Concentrated [OTC]; Tylenol® Jr. Meltaways [OTC]; Tylenol® [OTC]; Valorin Extra [OTC]; Valorin [OTC]

Abenol®; Apo-Acetaminophen®; Atasol®; Novo-Gesic; Pediatrix; Tempra®; Tylenol®

Adinol; Analphen; Dismifen; Doluvital ; Dolviran; Filanc; Mejoralito Junior; Mejoralito Pediátrico; Nordinet Infantil; Pharmacen-M; Sedalito; Sinedol; Tempra; Tylenol; Tylex; XL-Dol Infantil

Analgesic, Miscellaneous

• If you have an allergy to acetaminophen or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• Acetaminophen blocks production and release of chemicals that cause pain.

• It reduces fever by adjusting the body's thermostat in the brain.

• Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis.

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• If you are taking a blood thinner, check blood work (prothrombin time/INR). Talk with healthcare provider.

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect capsules and tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• Do not freeze suppositories.

Created: 2005-04-07 16:14:51.0

Modified: 2010-03-09 08:27:55.0

Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.

• This medicine is used to relieve pain and fever.

• Do not take more than prescribed amount. Liver damage can occur.

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Eat regularly. May decrease risk of liver damage.

• Long-acting products: Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

• You may sprinkle contents of capsule on soft food or liquid. Do not chew.

• A liquid (elixir, suspension, solution, syrup) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Shake suspension well before use.

• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

• Use suppository rectally.

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.