What is Acetaminophen: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Acetaminophen

• Follow all the instructions on the package or the insert.

• Never take larger doses than instructed and do not take acetaminophen more often than instructed. Taking too much acetaminophen can damage the liver. 

• Talk to a doctor if pain lasts for longer than 10 days or gets worse, fever lasts longer than three days or goes higher than 103˚, or you experience new symptoms.

How to take acetaminophen immediate-release tablets or capsules

• Take two tablets, capsules, or gelcaps every 4–6 hours

• Swallow the tablets, capsules, or gelcaps whole with a glass of water

• Do not take more than 10 tablets, capsules, or gelcaps in 24 hours

How to take acetaminophen extended-release tablets or caplets

• Take two tablets or caplets every eight hours

• Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush, chew, or break them

• Do not take more than six tablets or caplets in 24 hours

How to administer acetaminophen chewable tablets

• Acetaminophen oral solution or elixir do not include dosing instructions for adults

• Use the dosing chart to find the appropriate dose for the child’s age and weight

• The child should not swallow the tablet whole—the child should either chew the tablet or the parent can crush the tablet and give it to the child  that way

• The child can take a dose every four hours up to a maximum of five doses in a 24-hour period

How to use acetaminophen powder

• Use the appropriate formulation—children’s acetaminophen dissolve packets can be given to children 6–12 years old and extra strength dissolve packets can be given to adults and children 12 years of age and older

• Use the dosing chart to determine how many powders to give to a child for each dose

• Children can be given doses every 4 hours to a maximum of five doses in a 24-hour period

• Adults and children take two powders of extra-strength acetaminophen powder per dose to a maximum of six powders in a 24-hour period

• To take a dose, tear the packet and pour the powder directly onto the tongue

How to administer infant’s acetaminophen oral solution with a dropper

• Use the dosage table that comes with the medicine or follow your doctor’s instructions for the proper dose

• Remove the cap

• Insert the dropper into the bottle

• Withdraw the correct dose

• Point the dropper so the medicine goes toward the inner cheek

• Slowly give the medicine into your child's mouth

How to administer infant’s acetaminophen oral solution with an oral syringe

• Use the dosage table that comes with the medicine or follow your doctor’s instructions for the proper dose

• Remove the cap

• Attach the syringe to the flow restrictor

• Turn the bottle upside down

• Pull back the syringe plunger until it is filled with the correct dose

• Point the syringe so the medicine goes toward the inner cheek 

• Slowly give the medicine into your child's mouth 

How to administer or take children’s or regular-strength acetaminophen oral solution

• Regular strength or children’s acetaminophen oral solution can be given to adults and children 2 years of age and older

• Measure the oral liquid medicine using the calibrated measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup that comes packaged with this medicine

• Doses of regular-strength acetaminophen oral solution are taken every 4–6 hours

• Do not give more than five doses in 24 hours to children younger than 12 years

• Do not give more than six doses in 24 hours to adults and children 12 years of age or older

How to take extra strength acetaminophen oral solution

• Extra-strength acetaminophen oral solution can be given to adults and children 12 years of age and older

• Measure the oral liquid medicine using the calibrated measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup that comes packaged with this medicine

• Doses of extra-strength acetaminophen oral solution are taken every 6 hours

• Do not take more than three doses every 24 hours

How to administer acetaminophen oral suspension or elixir

• Acetaminophen oral solution or elixir do not include dosing instructions for adults

• Shake the bottle well before measuring out a dose

• Use the dosage table that comes with the medicine, or follow your doctor’s instructions for the proper dose

• Measure the oral suspension using a calibrated measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup packaged with this medicine

• Doses are given 4 hours apart

• Do not give more than five doses in 24 hours

• Do not give this medicine to a child for longer than five days

How to administer acetaminophen suppositories

• Acetaminophen suppositories are for rectal dosing only

• Do not remove the wrapper until ready to administer the suppository

• Adult suppositories can be given to adults and children 12 years of age and older

• Adults can be given a suppository every 4–6 hours to a maximum of six suppositories every 24 hours

• Children’s acetaminophen suppositories can be given to children up to six years of age

• For children younger than three years of age, talk to a doctor for the proper dosing

• Children can receive one suppository every 4–6 hours to a maximum of five doses in 24 hours

• Infant’s acetaminophen suppositories can be given to children from six months of age to three years of age

• Do not use in children younger than six months

• Infants can be given one suppository every 6 hours to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours

• To take or administer a dose, carefully insert the suppository into the rectum

• Acetaminophen injections are administered by a healthcare professional as a single dose or as repeated doses.

What to do if you miss a dose of Acetaminophen

• If an acetaminophen dose is missed, take it when remembered if there’s still pain or fever. Do not take it if the symptoms have passed. 

• If you take a missed dose of immediate-release acetaminophen, do not take the next dose until 4–6 hours later if symptoms persist. 

• If you’re taking extended-release tablets, don’t take the next dose until 8 hours have passed.

• Do not take a double dose of acetaminophen to make up for a missed dose.

Acetaminophen contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to acetaminophen.

• For acetaminophen oral solution, oral suspension, elixir, or chewable tablets, read the ingredient list closely. Do not administer it to a child who has allergies to any of the ingredients in the preparation.

Acetaminophen warnings

• Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

• Do not give acetaminophen to a child younger than two years of age except under the advice and direction of a doctor.

• An acetaminophen overdose is dangerous and can damage the liver. Do not use more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) total of regular-strength acetaminophen in one day and no more than 3 grams (3,000 milligrams) of extra-strength acetaminophen in one day. 

• Before using acetaminophen, ask a healthcare professional for medical advice if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have liver disease.

• Some acetaminophen products, such as chewable tablets and flavored elixirs, contain aspartame. These products can cause problems in people with phenylketonuria (PKU). 

• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children, particularly flavored medicine like chewable tablets or liquids.

Acetaminophen interactions

• The most significant acetaminophen interaction is with other medicines that contain acetaminophen. Combining acetaminophen with other drugs that contain acetaminophen can result in an acetaminophen overdose, liver damage, and possibly liver failure.

  • Drugs that contain acetaminophen include popular cold and flu medications as well as some prescription pain medications

  • Check all the ingredients of the drugs you are taking—do not take acetaminophen with any other drug containing acetaminophen

• Acetaminophen may raise the risk of bleeding in people taking the blood thinner warfarin.

• Talk to a healthcare professional about drinking while taking acetaminophen. Alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to metabolize acetaminophen. If you’re taking too much acetaminophen, the combination can affect the liver.