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Acetaminophen (injection)

Generic name: acetaminophen (injection) [ a-SEET-a-MIN-oh-FEN ]
Dosage form: intravenous solution (10 mg/mL)
Drug class: Miscellaneous analgesics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 11, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is acetaminophen injection?

Acetaminophen injection is used to treat pain in adults and children at least 2 years old. For moderate to severe pain, acetaminophen is sometimes given with opioid pain medicine.

Acetaminophen injection may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Acetaminophen injection side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal, even if you took acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Tell your caregivers or call your doctor if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Acetaminophen may cause serious side effects. Stop using acetaminophen and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of acetaminophen may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Acetaminophen side effects (more detail)

Warnings

Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain, and yellowing of your skin or eyes.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. Call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with acetaminophen if you are allergic to it or if you have severe liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Pregnancy may be less likely to occur while the mother or the father is using acetaminophen.

How is acetaminophen injection given?

Acetaminophen is injected into a vein by a healthcare provider, usually once every 4 to 6 hours.

Doses are based on weight in people who weigh under 110 pounds (50 kilograms). If you use this medicine long term, your dose may change if you gain or lose weight.

Detailed Acetaminophen dosage information

acetaminophen, gabapentin, aspirin, ibuprofen, tramadol, cyclobenzaprine, amitriptyline, Paracetamol, diclofenac, naproxen

What happens if I miss a dose?

In a medical setting you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms include vomiting, stomach pain, and yellowing of your skin or eyes.

What should I avoid while using acetaminophen injection?

Avoid using other medicines that may contain acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP).

Drinking alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage.

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen injection?

Tell your doctor if you also use a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven)

Other drugs may affect acetaminophen, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Acetaminophen drug interactions (more detail)

Does acetaminophen interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Popular FAQ

Can you take tramadol with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin?

Yes, it is safe for most people to take tramadol with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin if they are old enough (aspirin is not recommended for children less than 16 years and tramadol should not be taken by children under the age of 12). Continue reading

What is paracetamol / Panadol called in the US?

Paracetamol is known as acetaminophen in the U.S. Acetaminophen relieves mild-to-moderate pain, headache and fever. It's available over-the-counter as brand names such as Tylenol, Mapap or Panadol, and also as generics and store-specific brands. There are no differences in the chemical or therapeutics uses of acetaminophen and paracetamol, although recommended doses or available products may differ between countries. Continue reading

Acetaminophen vs Ibuprofen: Which is better?

Acetaminophen is only effective at relieving pain and fever, while ibuprofen relieves inflammation in addition to pain and fever. Continue reading

Acetaminophen vs paracetamol: What do you need to know?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) found in the U.S is the same medicine as paracetamol (Panadol) used throughout many regions of the world, including Europe, Australia, India and New Zealand. Acetaminophen and paracetamol are the generic names of medicines used to treat mild pain, headache and fever. Continue reading

Advil (ibuprofen) & Tylenol (acetaminophen) together, safe?

Yes, it is safe to take ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) together if you need to for extra pain relief, such as for a dental extraction. Taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen together works better to relieve pain than taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen separately. This is because they work in different ways with few side effects. Continue reading

What temperature is considered a fever?

A fever is defined as a body temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. Normal body temperature is usually 37°C (98.6°F), although it can be about a half degree Celsius higher or lower for some people and that’s normal for them. Continue reading

Is it safe to take acetaminophen every day?

It is considered safe to take acetaminophen every day as long as you follow the recommended dosage guidelines of taking it every 4 to 6 hours, only take what you need, and do not exceed the maximum dosage of 4,000 mg per day (note that some experts believe a maximum limit of 3,000 mg per day is safer for those who take acetaminophen every single day). Continue reading

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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