What is acetaminophen?
There are many brands and forms of acetaminophen available and not all brands are listed on this leaflet.
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 purposes not listed in this medication guide.
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 take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.
Know the amount of acetaminophen in the specific product you are taking.
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 acetaminophen.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.
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.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is 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 acetaminophen or APAP.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen?
You should not take acetaminophen if you are allergic to it.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take acetaminophen if you have:
liver disease; or
a history of alcoholism.
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 acetaminophen.
FDA pregnancy category C. Your doctor will determine whether acetaminophen is safe for you to use during pregnancy. Do not use this medicine without the advice of your doctor if you are pregnant.
Acetaminophen can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give the medication to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.