Acetaminophen

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

8 Hour Pain Reliever [OTC]; Acetaminophen 8 Hour [OTC]; Aminofen [OTC]; Apra [OTC]; Arthritis Pain Relief [OTC]; Aurophen Childrens [OTC] [DSC]; BetaTemp Childrens [OTC]; Childrens Acetaminophen [OTC] [DSC]; Childrens APAP [OTC]; Childrens Non-Aspirin [OTC]; Childrens Silapap [OTC] [DSC]; Childrens Tactinal [OTC] [DSC]; CuraNOL [OTC]; Ed-APAP [OTC]; ElixSure Fever/Pain [OTC]; FeverAll Adults [OTC] [DSC]; FeverAll Childrens [OTC]; FeverAll Infants [OTC]; FeverAll Junior Strength [OTC]; FT 8 Hour Pain Relief [OTC]; FT Arthritis Pain Reliever [OTC]; FT Children’s Pain/Fever [OTC]; FT Pain & Fever Childrens [OTC]; FT Pain & Fever Infants [OTC]; FT Pain Relief Adult Extra St [OTC]; FT Pain Relief Extra Strength [OTC]; FT Pain Relief [OTC]; FT Pain Reliever Ex Str Adult [OTC]; GoodSense Pain & Fever Child [OTC]; GoodSense Pain & Fever Infants [OTC]; GoodSense Pain Relief Extra St [OTC]; GoodSense Pain Relief [OTC] [DSC]; Healthy Mama Shake That Ache [OTC]; Liquid Pain Relief [OTC]; M-PAP [OTC]; Mapap Acetaminophen Extra Str [OTC]; Mapap Arthritis Pain [OTC] [DSC]; Mapap Childrens [OTC]; Mapap [OTC]; Max Relief Jr Child Pain/Fever [OTC]; Max Relief Junior [OTC]; Non-Aspirin Extra Strength [OTC]; Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever [OTC] [DSC]; Non-Aspirin [OTC]; Ofirmev [DSC]; Pain & Fever Childrens [OTC]; Pain and Fever Relief Kids [OTC]; Pain Relief Childrens [OTC]; Pain Relief Extra Strength [OTC]; Pain Relief Regular Strength [OTC]; Pain Relief [OTC]; Panadol Childrens [OTC]; Panadol Extra Strength [OTC]; Panadol Infants [OTC]; Pharbetol Extra Strength [OTC]; Pharbetol [OTC]; Tactinal Extra Strength [OTC] [DSC]; Tactinal [OTC] [DSC]; Triaminic Fever Reducer [OTC]; Tylenol 8 Hour Arthritis Pain [OTC]; Tylenol 8 Hour [OTC]; Tylenol Childrens Chewables [OTC]; Tylenol Childrens Pain + Fever [OTC]; Tylenol Childrens [OTC]; Tylenol Dissolve Packs [OTC]; Tylenol Extra Strength [OTC]; Tylenol for Children + Adults [OTC]; Tylenol Infants Pain+Fever [OTC]; Tylenol [OTC]

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to ease pain and fever.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
• If your child has liver disease.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid giving your child other products that have acetaminophen in them. Check labels closely. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver problems.
• Follow the directions exactly. Do not give your child more acetaminophen in a day than directed. If you do not know how much acetaminophen you can give to your child in a day, ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist. Call your child’s doctor right away if you have given your child too much acetaminophen in a day, even if your child feels well.
• Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
• This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your child’s health care providers and lab workers that your child takes this drug.
• If your child has phenylketonuria (PKU), talk with your child’s doctor. Some products have phenylalanine.
• Different brands of this drug may have different doses for children. Talk with the doctor before giving this drug to a child.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

• Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat. Rarely, some allergic reactions have been life-threatening.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
• A severe skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause severe health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if your child has signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in the mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Headache.
• Constipation.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All oral products:

• Give this drug with or without food.

Chewable tablets:

• Have your child chew well before swallowing.

Oral-disintegrating tablet:

• Place on the tongue and let dissolve.

Extended-release tablets:

• Have your child swallow whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
• Give this drug with a full glass of water.

All liquid products:

• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure this drug.

Liquid (suspension):

• Shake well before use.

Suppository:

• Suppositories are for rectal use only.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• If suppository is soft, chill in a refrigerator or run cold water over it.
• To use suppository, take off foil wrapper.
• Wet suppository before putting in rectum.
• Put suppository into the rectum with gentle pressure, pointed end first. Do not handle too much.

Injection:

• It is given into a vein for a period of time.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

Oral products and suppository:

• If your child takes this drug on a regular basis, give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Many times this drug is given on an as needed basis. Do not give to your child more often than told by the doctor.

Injection:

• Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

All oral products:

• Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
• Store in the original container to protect from light.
• Keep lid tightly closed.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.

Suppository:

• Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Do not freeze.
• Some brands may be stored in the refrigerator. Ask your pharmacist or check the package label.

Injection:

• If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

All products:

• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-02-01

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