Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Acephen, Acetaminophen Quickmelt, Actamin, Adprin B, Anacin AF, Apra, Bromo Seltzer, Childrens Tylenol, Childrens Tylenol Meltaway, Ed-APAP, Elixsure Fever/Pain, Feverall, Genebs, Infants Tylenol Concentrated Drops, Junior Strength Tylenol, Mapap, Mapap Arthritis Pain, Mapap Infant Drops, Mapap Meltaway, Mapap Rapid Release Gelcaps, Mapap Rapid Tabs, Pain-Eze, Q-Pap, Q-Pap Extra Strength, Silapap Childrens, Silapap Infants, St. Joseph Aspirin-Free, Tactinal, Tempra, Tempra Quicklets, Tycolene, Tylenol, Tylenol 8 Hour Caplet, Tylenol 8 Hour Geltab, Tylenol Arthritis Caplet, Tylenol Arthritis Extended Release, Tylenol Arthritis Geltab, Tylenol Caplet, Tylenol Caplet Extra Strength, Tylenol Childrens, Tylenol Extra Strength, Tylenol Extra Strength Cool Caplet, Tylenol Extra Strength EZ, Tylenol Gelcap Extra Strength, Tylenol Geltab Extra Strength, Tylenol GoTabs, Tylenol Infant's Drops, Tylenol Junior Meltaway, Tylenol Rapid Release Gelcap, Tylenol Sore Throat, Tylenol Sore Throat Daytime, Uniserts, Vitapap

Generic Name: acetaminophen (oral/rectal) (Pronunciation: a SEET a MIN oh fen)

• What is acetaminophen (Acephen, Acetaminophen Quickmelt, Actamin, Adprin B, Anacin AF, Apra, Bromo Seltzer, Childrens Tylenol, Childrens Tylenol Meltaway, Ed-APAP, Elixsure Fever/Pain, Feverall, Genebs, Infants Tylenol Concentrated Drops, Junior Strength Tylenol, Mapap, Mapap Arthritis Pain, Mapap Infant Drops, Mapap Meltaway, Mapap Rapid Release Gelcaps, Mapap Rapid Tabs, Pain-Eze, Q-Pap, Q-Pap Extra Strength, Silapap Childrens, Silapap Infants, St. Joseph Aspirin-Free, Tactinal, Tempra, Tempra Quicklets, Tycolene, Tylenol, Tylenol 8 Hour Caplet, Tylenol 8 Hour Geltab, Tylenol Arthritis Caplet, Tylenol Arthritis Extended Release, Tylenol Arthritis Geltab, Tylenol Caplet, Tylenol Caplet Extra Strength, Tylenol Childrens, Tylenol Extra Strength, Tylenol Extra Strength Cool Caplet, Tylenol Extra Strength EZ, Tylenol Gelcap Extra Strength, Tylenol Geltab Extra Strength, Tylenol GoTabs, Tylenol Infant's Drops, Tylenol Junior Meltaway, Tylenol Rapid Release Gelcap, Tylenol Sore Throat, Tylenol Sore Throat Daytime, Uniserts, Vitapap)?
• What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen?
• What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen?
• How should I use acetaminophen?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen?
• What other drugs will affect acetaminophen?
• Where can I get more information?

What is acetaminophen (Acephen, Acetaminophen Quickmelt, Actamin, Adprin B, Anacin AF, Apra, Bromo Seltzer, Childrens Tylenol, Childrens Tylenol Meltaway, Ed-APAP, Elixsure Fever/Pain, Feverall, Genebs, Infants Tylenol Concentrated Drops, Junior Strength Tylenol, Mapap, Mapap Arthritis Pain, Mapap Infant Drops, Mapap Meltaway, Mapap Rapid Release Gelcaps, Mapap Rapid Tabs, Pain-Eze, Q-Pap, Q-Pap Extra Strength, Silapap Childrens, Silapap Infants, St. Joseph Aspirin-Free, Tactinal, Tempra, Tempra Quicklets, Tycolene, Tylenol, Tylenol 8 Hour Caplet, Tylenol 8 Hour Geltab, Tylenol Arthritis Caplet, Tylenol Arthritis Extended Release, Tylenol Arthritis Geltab, Tylenol Caplet, Tylenol Caplet Extra Strength, Tylenol Childrens, Tylenol Extra Strength, Tylenol Extra Strength Cool Caplet, Tylenol Extra Strength EZ, Tylenol Gelcap Extra Strength, Tylenol Geltab Extra Strength, Tylenol GoTabs, Tylenol Infant's Drops, Tylenol Junior Meltaway, Tylenol Rapid Release Gelcap, Tylenol Sore Throat, Tylenol Sore Throat Daytime, Uniserts, Vitapap)?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.

Acetaminophen is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers.

Acetaminophen may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• low fever with nausea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite;
• dark urine, clay-colored stools; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen?

There are many brands and forms of acetaminophen available and not all brands are listed on this leaflet.

Do not use more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen and never use more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.

Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to use acetaminophen.

Before using acetaminophen, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or a history of alcoholism.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP") is contained in many combination medicines. If you use certain products together you may accidentally use too much acetaminophen. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen or APAP.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.