What is acetaminophen and aspirin?
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.
Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.
The combination of acetaminophen and aspirin is used to treat minor arthritis pain, back pain, and muscle aches.
Acetaminophen and aspirin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen and aspirin?
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. Taking too much aspirin or acetaminophen can cause serious harm. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.
Do not take this medication without a doctor's advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take medicine that contains acetaminophen.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP") and aspirin are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin, acetaminophen, or APAP.
Acetaminophen and aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. Symptoms include black, bloody, or tarry stools, and coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding or liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen and aspirin.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking acetaminophen and aspirin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin, or if you are using any other products that contain acetaminophen.
Do not take this medication without a doctor's advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take medicine that contains acetaminophen.
This medicine should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have:
liver disease or a history of alcoholism;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
asthma;
a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding; or
stomach ulcer or history of heartburn or ongoing indigestion or stomach pain.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Aspirin can cause harm to an unborn baby or problems with delivery if you take the medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Acetaminophen and aspirin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 12 years old without the advice of a doctor.