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Acetaminophen (a
· see · ta
· MEE · no
· fin)
Did You
Know?
Acetaminophen
is the most widely used pain reliever in the United States.
How
does it work?
Acetaminophen
works by elevating the body’s overall pain threshold, and it lowers fever
by helping the body eliminate excess heat.
Where
will I find acetaminophen?
You can find acetaminophen
in prescription medicines and OTC
medicines for
the temporary relief of minor aches and pains due to headache, muscle
aches, backache, the minor pain of arthritis, the common cold,
toothache, and menstrual cramps, and to reduce fever.
Acetaminophen
is also used in combination with other active
ingredients.
to make common multi-symptom OTC medicines, such as cough
suppressants, cold and flu products, and allergy medications.
For
a partial list of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that
contain acetaminophen, click here.
For
a partial list of prescription medicines that contain
acetaminophen, click here.
For
additional important information about drug interactions, click here.
Can I take acetaminophen?
When taken as
directed, acetaminophen is safe and does not cause the stomach
irritation often associated with non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
such as aspirin, naproxen sodium, and
ibuprofen. That’s why doctors often recommend
acetaminophen for people over 50,
children, and those with such conditions as asthma, kidney disease,
osteoarthritis, hypertension, or pregnancy. However, if you have any of these conditions, ask a health
professional before using.
For more
information about acetaminophen and pregnancy, click here.
How much can I take?
Look on the
container to find the strength of the pills you are
planning to take and follow the directions
for the number of pills and the number of times during the day you can
take them. Never take more than 4,000 milligrams of acetaminophen in a
day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Click
here for a sample acetaminophen label.
Click here for
an acetaminophen dosage calculator. (Coming soon!)
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Acetaminophen Shortcuts:
Sample
label
When to call the doctor
Prevent overdose: What OTCs and
Rx
meds contain acetaminophen? Take
only one OTC pain reliever at a time, and talk to your doctor if you
have questions.
Mixing OTCs and Alcohol
Mixing OTCs and Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Learn about other active ingredients:
Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Naproxen Sodium |