Pronunciation: a-SEET-a-MIN-oh-fen
Generic Name: Acetaminophen
Brand Name: Ofirmev
Acetaminophen Injection is used for:
Managing mild to moderate pain and for reducing fever. It is also used to manage moderate to severe pain when used along with opioid pain medicines (eg, oxycodone).
Acetaminophen Injection is an analgesic and antipyretic (lowers fever). Exactly how it works is not known but it is thought to work by lowering a chemical in the brain that stimulates pain nerves and the heat-regulating center in the brain.
Do NOT use Acetaminophen Injection if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Acetaminophen Injection
- you have severe liver problems
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Acetaminophen Injection:
Some medical conditions may interact with Acetaminophen Injection. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of alcohol abuse or you drink more than 3 alcohol-containing drinks every day
- if you have liver problems (eg, hepatitis), poor nutrition, low blood volume (eg, caused by dehydration or blood loss), or kidney problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Acetaminophen Injection. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of their side effects, including bleeding, may be increased by Acetaminophen Injection
- Isoniazid or other medicines that may harm the liver (eg, methotrexate, ketoconazole, certain medicines for HIV infection) because the risk of liver problems may be increased. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines might harm the liver
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Acetaminophen Injection may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Acetaminophen Injection:
Use Acetaminophen Injection as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Acetaminophen Injection is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Acetaminophen Injection at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Acetaminophen Injection. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
- Do not mix other medicines (especially chlorpromazine or diazepam) in the same container or IV line as Acetaminophen Injection. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions about how to give Acetaminophen Injection with other medicines.
- Do not use Acetaminophen Injection if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Use Acetaminophen Injection within 6 hours after opening.
- If you miss a dose of Acetaminophen Injection and you are using it regularly, use it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Acetaminophen Injection.
Important safety information:
- Acetaminophen Injection has acetaminophen in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has acetaminophen in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Acetaminophen Injection may harm your liver. Your risk may be greater if you drink alcohol while you are using Acetaminophen Injection or if you use Acetaminophen Injection in high doses. Talk to your doctor before you use Acetaminophen Injection or other fever reducers if you drink more than 3 drinks with alcohol per day. Do NOT use more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- Acetaminophen Injection should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 2 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Acetaminophen Injection while you are pregnant. Acetaminophen Injection is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Acetaminophen Injection, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Acetaminophen Injection:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation, headache, mild nausea or vomiting, or trouble sleeping.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue); agitation or anxiety; dark urine or pale stools; fainting; fast heartbeat; muscle pain, spasms, weakness, or cramping; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; persistent spasm of the jaw muscles; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; shortness of breath; stomach pain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; unusual tiredness or weakness; wheezing; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Acetaminophen side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include coma; dark urine; decreased urination; excessive sweating; extreme fatigue; nausea and vomiting; pale stools; stomach pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Proper storage of Acetaminophen Injection:
Acetaminophen Injection is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Acetaminophen Injection at home, store Acetaminophen Injection as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Acetaminophen Injection out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Acetaminophen Injection, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Acetaminophen Injection is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Acetaminophen Injection. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Acetaminophen resources
- Acetaminophen Side Effects (in more detail)
- Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Acetaminophen Drug Interactions
- Acetaminophen Support Group
- 24 Reviews for Acetaminophen - Add your own review/rating
Compare Acetaminophen with other medications
- Fever
- Muscle Pain
- Pain
- Sciatica
No comments:
Post a Comment