Acetaminophen

From PharmDatabase.org

Generic name: Acetaminophen
Brand names: Anacin-3 Maximum Strength, Childrens Tylenol, Tylenol, Tylenol Caplet, Tylenol Caplet Extra Strength, Tylenol Extended Release, Tylenol Extra Strength, Tylenol Gelcap Extra Strength, Tylenol Suspension
Related Medical Conditions: Arthritis, Backache, Cold, Headache, Muscle Aches, Pain, Toothache
Related Groups: Analgetic, Antipyretic, Pain Relief

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Acetaminophen Articles

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Contents 1 What is Acetaminophen? 2 Acetaminophen Usage and Dosage 3 Acetaminophen Side Effects 4 Other Drugs Interaction 5 Acetaminophen Storage 6 Articles

What is Acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen is in a class of medications called analgesics and antipyretics. It works by changing the way the body senses pain and by cooling the body.

Acetaminophen is used to relieve mild to moderate pain from headaches, muscle aches, menstrual periods, colds and sore throats, toothaches, backaches, reactions to vaccinations (shots), and to reduce fever. Acetaminophen may also be used to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by the breakdown of the lining of the joints).

Acetaminophen Usage and Dosage

Acetaminophen comes as a tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, suspension or solution (liquid), drops (concentrated liquid), extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and orally disintegrating tablet (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth), to take by mouth, with or without food. Acetaminophen also comes as a suppository to use rectally. Acetaminophen is available without a prescription, but your doctor may prescribe acetaminophen to treat certain conditions. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take acetaminophen exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than directed on the package label or prescribed by your doctor. Taking more than the recommended amount may cause damage to your liver.

If you are giving acetaminophen to your child, check the chart on the package to find out how much medication the child needs. If you know how much your child weighs, give the dose that matches that weight on the chart. If you don't know your child's weight, give the dose that matches your child's age. Do not give children acetaminophen products that are made for adults. Ask your child's doctor if you don't know how much medication to give your child.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, crush, or dissolve them.

Place the orally disintegrating tablet in your mouth and allow to dissolve or chew it before swallowing.

Shake the suspension and drops well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Use the measuring cup provided by the manufacturer to measure each dose of the solution or suspension, and use the dosing device provided to measure each dose of the drops. Use the dosing device to slowly release the drops directly into the child's mouth near the inner cheek. Do not mix the drops with baby formula.

To insert an acetaminophen suppository into the rectum, follow these steps:

• Remove the wrapper.
• Dip the tip of the suppository in water.
• Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. (A left-handed person should lie on the right side and raise the left knee.)
• Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum, about ½ to 1 inch in infants and children and 1 inch in adults. Hold it in place for a few moments.
• Stand up after about 15 minutes. Wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.

Stop taking acetaminophen and call your doctor if your symptoms get worse, you develop new or unexpected symptoms, the part of your body that was painful becomes red or swollen, your pain lasts for more than 10 days, or your fever gets worse or lasts more than 3 days. Also stop giving acetaminophen to your child and call your child's doctor if your child develops new symptoms, including redness or swelling on the painful part of his body, or your child's pain lasts for longer than 5 days or fever get worse or lasts longer than 3 days.

Do not give acetaminophen to a child who has a sore throat that is severe or does not go away, or that comes along with fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting. Call the child's doctor right away, because these symptoms may be signs of a more serious condition.

The dose of acetaminophen will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of acetaminophen. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to.

The number of capsules, tablets, teaspoonfuls of oral solution or suspension that you take, the amount of oral granules or powders that you take, or the number of suppositories that you use, depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you use each day and the time allowed between doses depend on the strength of the medicine.

The dose of acetaminophen will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of acetaminophen. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to.

The number of capsules, tablets, teaspoonfuls of oral solution or suspension that you take, the amount of oral granules or powders that you take, or the number of suppositories that you use, depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you use each day and the time allowed between doses depend on the strength of the medicine.

For oral dosage forms (capsules, granules, powders, solution, suspension, or tablets) and rectal dosage forms (suppositories):

• For pain or fever:
  • Adults and teenagers - 325 or 500 milligrams (mg) every three or four hours, 650 mg every four to six hours, or 1000 mg every six hours as needed.The total dose should not be more than 4000 mg (for example, eight 500–mg tablets) a day.
  • Children - Acetaminophen dose is based on the child's age.
  • Infants up to 3 months of age: 40 mg every four hours as needed.
  • Infants 4 to 12 months of age: 80 mg every four hours as needed.
  • Children 1 to 2 years of age: 120 mg every four hours as needed.
  • Children 2 to 4 years of age: 160 mg every four hours as needed.
  • Children 4 to 6 years of age: 240 mg every four hours as needed.
  • Children 6 to 9 years of age: 320 mg every four hours as needed.
  • Children 9 to 11 years of age: 320 to 400 mg every four hours as needed.
  • Children 11 to 12 years of age: 320 to 480 mg every four hours as needed.

Acetaminophen Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Yellow eyes or skin
• Symptoms of overdose
  • Diarrhea; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting ; stomach cramps or pain; swelling, pain, or tenderness in the upper abdomen or stomach area

Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Bloody or black, tarry stools; bloody or cloudy urine; fever with or without chills (not present before treatment and not caused by the condition being treated); pain in lower back and/or side (severe and/or sharp); pinpoint red spots on skin; skin rash, hives, or itching; sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth; sore throat (not present before treatment and not caused by the condition being treated); sudden decrease in amount of urine; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Other Drugs Interaction

Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescription products. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amount of acetaminophen per dose or per day.

Acetaminophen may cause false urine glucose test results. Talk to your doctor if you have diabetes and you notice changes in your glucose levels while taking acetaminophen.

Other medications may interact with acetaminophen. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products while taking acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen Storage

Store acetaminophen at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and the reach of children. The rectal suppositories can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Articles

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