a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Ofirmev
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Uses For acetaminophen
Acetaminophen injection is used together with other medicines (e.g., narcotic pain relievers) to relieve moderate to severe pain.
Acetaminophen is used to relieve mild to moderate pain and reduce fever in patients. It does not become habit-forming when taken for a long time. Acetaminophen may cause unwanted effects when taken in large doses, including liver damage.
acetaminophen is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before Using acetaminophen
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For acetaminophen, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to acetaminophen or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of acetaminophen injection in children 2 years of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 years of age.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of acetaminophen injection in the elderly.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast Feeding
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving acetaminophen, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using acetaminophen with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acenocoumarol
- Carbamazepine
- Isoniazid
- Phenytoin
- Warfarin
- Zidovudine
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using acetaminophen with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use acetaminophen, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Ethanol
Using acetaminophen with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use acetaminophen, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Cabbage
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of acetaminophen. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alcohol abuse, history of or
- Hypovolemia (low blood volume), severe or
- Kidney disease, severe or
- Liver impairment or
- Liver disease or
- Malnourished condition—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.
- Liver disease, active and severe or
- Liver impairment, severe—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
Proper Use of acetaminophen
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you acetaminophen. acetaminophen is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly over 15 minutes
Your doctor will give you a few doses of acetaminophen until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
Precautions While Using acetaminophen
It is very important that your doctor check you closely while you or your child are receiving acetaminophen. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it.
Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach; pale stools; dark urine; loss of appetite; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
acetaminophen may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash; itching; hoarseness; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive acetaminophen.
acetaminophen will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; other prescription pain medicine or narcotics; medicine for seizures or barbiturates; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Also, there may be a greater risk of liver damage if you drink three or more alcoholic beverages while you are taking acetaminophen. Do not drink alcoholic beverages, and check with your doctor before taking any of these medicines while you or your child are using acetaminophen.
Carefully check the labels of all other medicines you are using, because they may also contain acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®). It is not safe to use more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) of acetaminophen in one day (24 hours).
acetaminophen Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common-Adults
- Abnormal breath sounds
- bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- blurred vision
- confusion
- convulsions
- decreased urine
- difficult or labored breathing
- difficulty opening the mouth
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- dry mouth
- headache
- increased thirst
- irregular heartbeat
- lockjaw
- loss of appetite
- mood changes
- muscle pain or cramps
- muscle spasm, especially of the neck and back
- nausea or vomiting
- nervousness
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- pain at the injection site
- pounding in the ears
- rapid weight gain
- shortness of breath
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sweating
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- unusual weight gain or loss
- wheezing
- Blue lips and fingernails
- bone pain
- chest pain
- coughing
- coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
- difficult, fast, or noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing
- drowsiness
- fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- fever
- increased sweating
- lower back, side, or stomach pain
- muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
- noisy breathing
- pain in the arms or legs
- pale skin
- rapid breathing
- rapid heartbeat
- swelling around the eyes
- swelling of the feet, ankles, or lower legs
- trembling
- trouble breathing
- troubled breathing with exertion
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- weakness
- weight gain
- Abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness
- clay colored stools
- dark urine
- decreased appetite
- difficulty with swallowing
- flu-like symptoms
- hives
- itching
- loss of appetite
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- right upper stomach tenderness
- skin rash
- tightness in the chest
- yellow eyes or skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
- Black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- bloating of the abdomen or stomach
- blood in the urine or stools
- chills
- difficult or painful urination
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- light-colored stools
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- sudden decrease in the amount of urine
- unpleasant breath odor
- vomiting of blood
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Sleeplessness
- trouble sleeping
- unable to sleep
- Fear
- Diarrhea
- difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
- dry mouth
- hyperventilation
- irritability
- restlessness
- shaking
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: acetaminophen Intravenous side effects (in more detail)
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More acetaminophen Intravenous resources
- Acetaminophen Intravenous Side Effects (in more detail)
- Acetaminophen Intravenous Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Acetaminophen Intravenous Drug Interactions
- Acetaminophen Intravenous Support Group
- 24 Reviews for Acetaminophen Intravenous - Add your own review/rating
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