Tylenol is a brand name for acetominophen. Other medicines that contain acetominophen include:
•Anacin-3
•Liquiprin
•Panadol
•Percocet
•Tempra
•Various cold and flu medicines

Note: This list is not all inclusive.

Common dosage forms and strengths:
•Suppository: 120 mg*, 125 mg, 325 mg, 650 mg
•Chewable tablets: 80 mg
•Junior tablets: 160 mg
•Regular strength: 325 mg
•Extra strength: 500 mg
•Liquid: 160 mg/teaspoon
•Drops: 100 mg/mL, 120 mg/2.5 mL

*mg = milligrams

You should not take more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen a day. Taking more, especially 7000 mg or more, can lead to a severe overdose if not treated.

Symptoms
•Abdominal pain
•Appetite loss
•Coma
•Convulsions
•Diarrhea
•Irritability
•Jaundice
•Nausea
•Sweating
•Upset stomach
•Vomiting

Note: Symptoms may not occur until 12 or more hours after the acetaminophen was swallowed.

Acetaminophen is used to relieve mild to moderate pain and to reduce fever. It does not relieve the stiffness, redness, and swelling of arthritis.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should Acetaminophen be used?

Acetaminophen comes as a tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, liquid, drops, and granules (to be dissolved in water) to take by mouth and a suppository to use rectally. Acetaminophen is available without a prescription. Follow the directions on the package label carefully. If your doctor prescribes it for you, the prescription label will tell you how often to take it. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take acetaminophen exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Do not crush, chew, or open the capsules: swallow them whole.

To insert an acetaminophen suppository into the rectum, follow these steps:

Remove the wrapper.
Dip the tip of the suppository in water.
Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. (A left-handed person should lie on the right side and raise the left knee). Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum, about 1/2 to 1 inch in infants and children and 1 inch in adults. Hold it in place for a few moments.
Stand up after about 15 minutes. Wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.
Adults should not take acetaminophen for pain for more than 10 days (5 days for children) without talking to a doctor. Acetaminophen should not be taken by adults or children for high fever, for fever lasting more than 3 days, or for recurrent fever without a doctor’s supervision. Do not give a child more than five doses in 24 hours unless directed to do so by a doctor.

This drug is available without a prescription. Acetaminophen –or APAP — is sold under various brand names, including Tylenol, Panadol, Aspirin Free Anacin, and Bayer Select Maximum Strength Headache Pain Relief Formula. Many multi-symptom cold, flu, and sinus medicines also contain acetaminophen. Check the ingredients listed on the container to see if acetaminophen is included in the product.

Studies have shown that acetaminophen relieves pain and reduces fever about as well as aspirin. But differences between these two common drugs exist. Acetaminophen is less likely than aspirin to irritate the stomach. However, unlike aspirin, acetaminophen does not reduce the redness, stiffness, or swelling that accompany arthritis.

Recommended dosage for Acetaminophen

The usual dosage for adults and children age 12 and over is 325-650 mg every 4- 6 hours as needed. No more than 4 grams (4000 mg) should be taken in 24 hours. Because the drug can potentially harm the liver, people who drink alcohol in large quantities should take considerably less acetaminophen and possibly should avoid the drug completely.

For children ages 6-11 years, the usual dose is 150-300 mg, three to four times a day. Check with a physician for dosages for children under age 6 years.

Precautions for Acetaminophen

Never take more than the recommended dosage of acetaminophen unless told to do so by a physician or dentist.

Patients should not use acetaminophen for more than 10 days to relieve pain (5 days for children) or for more than 3 days to reduce fever, unless directed to do so by a physician. If symptoms do not go away — or if they get worse — contact a physician. Anyone who drinks 3 or more alcoholic beverages a day should check with a physician before using this drug and should never take more than the recommended dosage. A risk of liver damage exists from combining large amounts of alcohol and acetaminophen. People who already have kidney or liver disease or liver infections should also consult with a physician before using the drug. So should women who are pregnant or breast feeding.

Smoking cigarettes may interfere with the effectiveness of acetaminophen. Smokers may need to take higher doses of the medicine, but should not take more than the recommended daily dosage unless told by a physician to do so.

Many drugs can interact with one another. Consult a physician or pharmacist before combining acetaminophen with any other medicine. Do not use two different acetaminophen-containing products at the same time.

Acetaminophen interferes with the results of some medical tests. Before having medical tests done, check to see whether taking acetaminophen will affect the results. Avoiding the drug for a few days before the tests may be necessary.

Acetaminophen causes few side effects. The most common one is lightheadedness. Some people may experience trembling and pain in the side or the lower back. Allergic reactions do occur in some people, but they are rare. Anyone who develops symptoms such as a rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing after taking acetaminophen should stop taking the drug and get immediate medical attention. Other rare side effects include yellow skin or eyes, unusual bleeding or bruising, weakness, fatigue, bloody or black stools, bloody or cloudy urine, and a sudden decrease in the amount of urine.

Overdoses of acetaminophen may cause nausea, vomiting, sweating, and exhaustion. Very large overdoses can cause liver damage. In case of an overdose, get immediate medical attention.

Interactions with Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen may interact with a variety of other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of the drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Among the drugs that may interact with acetaminophen are alcohol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Motrin, oral contraceptives, the antiseizure drug phenytoin (Dilantin), the blood-thinning drug warfarin (Coumadin), the cholesterol-lowering drug cholestyramine (Questran), the antibiotic Isoniazid, and zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT). Check with a physician or pharmacist before combining acetaminophen with any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicine.

Features
Acetaminophen is in a class of pain-relieving, fever-reducing medications called “analgesics” and “antipyretics.” Aspirin, on the other hand, is in a class of medications called “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (N-SAIDs).”

Applications
Both Tylenol and aspirin are used to treat pain, inflammation, and fever. They are most commonly used to ease the symptoms associated with headaches, muscle pain, the common cold, menstrual cramps, and mild arthritis pain. Aspirin is often used to prevent or treat strokes and heart attacks.

Warnings
Both medications should be taken only as directed. Taking more than the recommended dose can lead to long-term effects such as liver disease. Pregnant or nursing mothers should contact a physician or pharmacist before taking either medication.

Comparisons
According to the manufacturer, Tylenol is unlikely to cause stomach irritation like other pain relievers such as aspirin. Acetaminophen is not nearly as effective as aspirin in reducing inflammation.

Dosing
A doctor should be consulted to establish how many milligrams of aspirin or acetaminophen is appropriate for specific consumers. It is recommended that aspirin be taken with a glass of water, milk, or some food to lessen the likelihood of experiencing an upset stomach. Acetaminophen can be taken with or without food.