Complete list of drugs used to treat
arthritis.Acetaminophen
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.)4. 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.
Information about Acetaminophen
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.
Side effects of Acetaminophen
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. |
