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Use
For fever and pain relief.
Acetaminophen is a medicine that is used for mild to moderate pain and fever in adults and children. Acetaminophen is often used in people who cannot take anti-inflammatories (e.g. due to stomach ulcer), as it is gentle on the stomach.
Acetaminophen is less likely than anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) to cause worsening of asthma or an asthma attack.
For children, Acetaminophen is the most commonly prescribed medicine to reduce a high temperature or for pain relief.
It works by blocking the making of prostaglandins (pros-ta-glan-dins) which can cause pain (including headaches), fever (high temperature), and inflammation (swelling and redness). Acetaminophen is not very good at reducing inflammation, but is very effective at reducing pain and fever. It is used both for acute pain (e.g. headache, accident) and for chronic pain (e.g. osteo-arthritis). It is sometimes used for cancer pain.
Acetaminophen is available in tablets, capsules, soluble tablets, children's mixtures and suppositories.
Acetaminophen is an ingredient in
Many cold and flu tablets
Cold and flu drinks e.g. Lemsip
Some cough mixtures
Combination pain relievers, e.g. Digesic, Panadeine, Codcomol, Pirophen
Some migraine tablets e.g. Paramax
Paracetamol is also known as acetaminophen.
Usual dose
Adults: 500mg - 1000mg every four hours - but no more than 4000mg (eight 500mg tablets) per day.
Children 1-5 years old: 120mg-250mg every four hours - but no more than 4 doses per day (24 hours).
Children 6-12 years old: 250-500mg every four hours - but no more than 4 doses per day (24 hours).
Children under 1 year: check with your doctor or pharmacist.
The mixtures for children usually come in 120mg/5ml or 250mg/5ml. Take care that you use the correct amount according to the strength of the mixture.
It is very important not to take more than the recommended dose - too much will not give you any better pain relief, but is very dangerous. If you still have pain or fever after using the correct dose of paracetamol, check with your doctor. Paracetamol should take about 20 minutes to start to work.
Cautions
Liver damage (alcoholics, hepatitis, AIDS, malnutrition). Kidney problems.
Side effects
Side effects are rare and include skin rashes, other allergy symptoms and blood disorders. It is thought that chronic abuse of paracetamol may cause kidney problems.
Overdose
Liver damage - seek emergency medical treatment immediately, even if there are no symptoms. It is very important to keep Acetaminophen tablets or mixtures well out of the reach of children to prevent overdose, as you should with all medicines.
Interactions
It is wise to avoid excessive alcohol while using paracetamol.
Take care with Warfarin (may cause increased INR).
Patient information
Follow the instructions on the label of the medicine or as directed by your doctor.
Acetaminophen for children comes in different strengths. Take care you are giving your child the correct dose.
Do not exceed the maximum dose recommended (four doses in 24 hours).
Food
Can be taken on an empty stomach.
Alcohol
Do not drink excessive quantities of alcohol while taking paracetamol.
Keep all paracetamol well out of reach of children.
Contact your doctor or seek urgent help if overdose occurs.
Acetaminophen is an ingredient in a number of medicines for pain, or colds and flu. If taking Acetaminophen in one medicine, make sure you don't take other medicines also containing Acetaminophen .
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