SUBJECT: Acetaminophen
is a common drug found in more
than 600 medications,
but is it safe for you to take?
Here's the truth
about acetaminophen.
Is it safe to take
acetaminophen?
Yes, it's usually safe when
taken according
to the directions on the label.
But taking more than that
can cause liver damage, liver
failure, or even death.
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Is there a risk of taking too
much
or mixing it with other meds?
Yes.
Be careful about mixing
medicines with acetaminophen,
like pain relievers, cold meds,
or narcotics.
To be safe, aim for 3,000
milligrams or less in a day.
Will it upset your stomach?
No.
While NSAIDs can cause stomach
and intestinal pain,
acetaminophen
is easy on the stomach.
Is it OK to take for hangovers?
It's usually OK at low doses,
but acetaminophen is processed
in the liver, just like alcohol.
So don't take it if you have
more than three alcoholic drinks
daily or if you have liver
disease.