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Proper Use
Unless otherwise directed by your medical doctor or dentist :
- Do not take more of this medicine than is recommended on the package label. If too much is taken, liver and kidney damage may occur.
- Children up to 12 years of age should not take this medicine more than 5 times a day.
To use acetaminophen oral granules (e.g., Snaplets-FR):
- Just before the medicine is to be taken, open the number of packets needed for one dose. Mix the granules inside of the packets with a small amount of soft food, such as applesauce, ice cream, or jam. Eat the acetaminophen granules along with the food.
To use acetaminophen oral powders (e.g., Feverall Sprinkle Caps [Children's or Junior Strength]):
- These capsules are not intended to be swallowed whole. Instead, just before the medicine is to be taken, open the number of capsules needed for one dose. Empty the powder from each capsule into 1 teaspoonful of water or other liquid. Drink the medicine along with the liquid. You may drink more liquid after taking the medicine. You may also mix the powder with a small amount of soft food, such as applesauce, ice cream, or jam. Eat the acetaminophen powder along with the food.
For patients using acetaminophen suppositories:
- If the suppository is too soft to insert, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or run cold water over it before removing the foil wrapper.
- To insert the suppository:
- First remove the foil wrapper and moisten the suppository with cold water. Lie down on your side and use your finger to push the suppository well up into the rectum.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage forms (capsules, granules, powders, solution, suspension, or tablets) and rectal dosage forms (suppositories):
- For pain or fever:
- Adults and teenagers—325 or 500 milligrams (mg) every three or four hours, 650 mg every four to six hours, or 1000 mg every six hours as needed.The total dose should not be more than 4000 mg (for example, eight 500–mg tablets) a day.
- Children—Acetaminophen dose is based on the child's age.
- Infants up to 3 months of age: 40 mg every four hours as needed.
- Infants 4 to 12 months of age: 80 mg every four hours as needed.
- Children 1 to 2 years of age: 120 mg every four hours as needed.
- Children 2 to 4 years of age: 160 mg every four hours as needed.
- Children 4 to 6 years of age: 240 mg every four hours as needed.
- Children 6 to 9 years of age: 320 mg every four hours as needed.
- Children 9 to 11 years of age: 320 to 400 mg every four hours as needed.
- Children 11 to 12 years of age: 320 to 480 mg every four hours as needed.
- For pain or fever:
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep the bottle closed when you are not using it. Store it at room temperature, away from light and heat. Do not freeze.
You may store the suppositories in the refrigerator, but do not freeze them.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
