Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol®) How much is too much?

Download the full brochure "Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol®) How much is too much?" in Acrobat PDF Format Things you should know about acetaminophen: It is often called “Tylenol®.” It is a widely used medication. A common abbreviation for acetaminophen is APAP. A common use is to treat fever or other complaints such as pain, headache, or general discomfort. It is important to make sure you read labels carefully. Acetaminophen is found in many over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications and cough and cold products. Acetaminophen is usually a safe drug. Taking too much acetaminophen can result in liver damage. People who drink alcohol may be at higher risk. The maximum daily dose of acetaminophen is 4 grams (4000 mg) daily. When taken at typical doses, this maximum level can easily be reached. If you are also on warfarin (Coumadin®), doses above 2 grams (2000 mg) daily can change your bleeding times. Many commonly ordered pain medications, such as Vicodin®, Percocet®, or Darvocet®, contain significant amounts of acetaminophen. When taken with other products that also contain acetaminophen, the chance for overdose becomes even higher. How to Total Daily Doses: List all the drugs you are taking that contain acetaminophen. Find out how much acetaminophen is in each tablet. If the medication is not listed in the table, ask a pharmacist. Count how many tablets you take each day. Total the daily dose of acetaminophen by multiplying the number of tablets by the amount of acetaminophen in each tablet. NOTE: When acetaminophen is in more than one medication you are taking, you need to add these amounts together to get the total daily dose. Examples: a) Hydrocodone 5/APAP 500 mg, 2 tablets, twice a day Amount of acetaminophen per tablet: 500 mg Tablets per day: 4 tablets 500 mg x 4 tablets: = 2000 mg b) Acetaminophen 325 mg, 2 tablets every 6 hours,as needed for pain. Amount of acetaminophen per tablet: 325 mg Tablets per day: 0-8 tablets 325 mg x 8 tablets: = 2600 mg c) Alka-Seltzer Cough & Cold Liquid Gels®: Take 2 capsules every 4 hours. Do not exceed 8 capsules in 24 hours. Amount of acetaminophen per tablet: 325 mg Tablets per day: 8 capsules 325 mg x 8 tablets: = 2600 mg If any of these drugs were used together, the total dose would exceed the daily amount of 4000 mg per day. Contact a pharmacist or your provider if you have any questions or concerns about how much acetaminophen you are taking. Examples of medications that contain acetaminophen: Name Amount of Acetaminophen Anacin® aspirin-free 500 mg per tablet Darvocet® N-100 650 mg per tablet Darvocet® N-50 325 mg per tablet Excedrin® extra strength 250 mg per caplet (also contains 250 mg aspirin) Excedrin® tension headache 500 mg per caplet Fioricet® 325 mg per tablet Lorcet® 10/650 650 mg per tablet Lorcet®-HD 5/500 500 mg per tablet Lorcet®-plus 7.5/650 650 mg per tablet Lortab® (Vicodin®) 5/500 500 mg per tablet Lortab® 10/500 500 mg per tablet Lortab® 2.5/500 500 mg per tablet Lortab® 7.5/500 500 mg per tablet Percocet®-5/325 325 mg per tablet Tylenol® extra strength 500 mg per tablet Tylenol® regular strength 325 mg per tablet Tylenol® suppository 650 mg per supp Tylenol® with codeine #2 300 mg per tablet Tylenol® with codeine #3 300 mg per tablet Tylenol® with codeine #4 300 mg per tablet Tylenol® with codeine elixir 120 mg per 5 ml (360 mg per 15 ml) Tylox® 500 mg per capsule Ultracet® 325 mg per tablet Vicodin® (Lortab®) 5/500 500 mg per tablet Vicodin®-ES 7.5/750 750 mg per tablet Vicodin®-HP 10/660 660 mg per tablet This is not a complete list. Check with a pharmacist for additional information. To refill a prescription, contact the facility where you receive care: Using a touch tone telephone: Step 1: Call 1-800-585-9772     1-800-792-4334 ext. 56505 OR     (315) 425-6505 (Syracuse)     1-800-532-8387, Press 1, then extension 6581 OR     dial (716) 862-6581 (WNY - Buffalo/Batavia) Step 2: Enter your full 9 digit Social Security Number followed by the pound key (#). Step 3: Press 2 for pharmacy prescriptions. Step 4: Press 1 for prescription refills     or Press 2 for prescription status     or Press 8 to speak with a pharmacy representative Step 5: Press 1 or 2, then enter the prescription number followed by the pound sign (#). Step 6: Listen to be sure that the prescription will be mailed to your home. Please allow 10 days for delivery. You can also refill your prescriptions through the mail: Mail your refill slips to the pharmacy. Please allow at least 14 days to process and mail the prescription to your home. You may also go to this Web site to register and refill your prescriptions on the Internet: www.myhealth.va.gov

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