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Acetaminophen is one of the most widely used over-the-counter and prescription medications in the United States. Most people know this medication by the brand name, Tylenol®. Acetaminophen is the name of the generic and is mainly used to treat pain and to reduce fevers. It is also used to treat many different conditions, including: headache, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, backaches, toothaches, arthritis, and common colds. If you think that it is necessary to start taking this medication, you should first consult your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen should only be used up to three days for a fever or up to ten days for minor aches and pain. If at any time any of these conditions worsen or do not improve stop using acetaminophen and see a doctor. It is up to your doctor to decide whether you should continue acetaminophen use longer than what is recommended above.
Acetaminophen is available in many different formulations over-the-counter: gelcaps, liquid suspension, chewable tablets, coated caplets, geltabs, and suppositories. These formulations come in varying dosages with the most common being 325 mg, 500 mg, and 650 mg. There are also many different prescription products that contain acetaminophen, such as: Vicodin®, Percocet®, and Tylenol No. 3. The amount of acetaminophen in a prescription product depends on the specific product that you are taking. The maximum recommended dose
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of acetaminophen for adults ages twelve years and over is 4000 mg per day and a maximum of 1000 mg per dose. So, if you have 500 mg caplets then you should only take two caplets per dose for a maximum of eight caplets per day. Each dose should be separated out by four to six hours. For children under the ages of twelve you should contact your doctor or pharmacist to see how much acetaminophen can be given per dose and what the maximum daily dose is for your child. The amount of acetaminophen that a child can take is different from an adult because it depends on the weight and age of the child.
With all of the different dosages and formulations of acetaminophen it can be very difficult knowing how much medication you are actually taking. This is of concern because taking acetaminophen for long periods of time or doses greater than 4000 mg per day can be associated with many different side effects. The most common side effect is damage to the liver. The liver is the primary organ responsible for breaking down acetaminophen into a form that is non-toxic. When too much acetaminophen is ingested, the liver does not have time to break down the medication into a non-toxic form, so as a result a more toxic form of the medication is available which causes damage to the liver. Other common side effects include rashes and irregular bruising and bleeding. Remember to never drink alcohol
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while taking this medication because these two together can increase your risk for liver damage.
Important notes to remember:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if acetaminophen is right for you
Never drink alcohol while taking this medication
For adults > twelve years old do not take more than 4000 mg per day or 1000 mg per dose
Have your pharmacist calculate how much acetaminophen can be given to your child under the age of twelve
Acetaminophen is very toxic to the liver
If you are unsure about whether or not a medication contains acetaminophen - ASK YOUR PHARMACIST
Ask your doctor if acetaminophen should be used for long periods of time
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