What is Acetaminophen-aspirin?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.

The combination of acetaminophen and aspirin is used to treat minor arthritis pain, back pain, and muscle aches.

Acetaminophen and aspirin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Acetaminophen-aspirin?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin, or if you are using any other products that contain acetaminophen.

This medicine should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome in children.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using acetaminophen and aspirin if you have:

• asthma
• a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding
• stomach ulcer or history of heartburn or ongoing indigestion or stomach pain
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
• liver disease (including cirrhosis)

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Aspirin can cause harm to an unborn baby or problems with childbirth if you take the medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Acetaminophen and aspirin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 12 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Acetaminophen-aspirin Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Acetaminophen-aspirin?

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

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• black, bloody, or tarry stools
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• fever lasting longer than 3 days
• swelling, or pain lasting longer than 10 days
• redness, swelling, or other signs of infection; or
• hearing loss

Less serious side effects may include:

• upset stomach, heartburn
• drowsiness; or
• ringing in your ears

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-aspirin Interactions

What other drugs affect Acetaminophen-aspirin?

Before taking aspirin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• medications for treating diabetes
• gout medications such as probenecid (Benemid)
• another salicylate such as choline salicylate and/or magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan’s, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin, Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal), or salsalate (Disalcid); or
• an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with acetaminophen and aspirin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Acetaminophen-aspirin?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of stomach bleeding or liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen and aspirin. If you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day, do not take acetaminophen without your doctor’s advice.

Do not use any other pain, headache, cold, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as “APAP”) and aspirin are contained in many combination medicines. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen, APAP, or aspirin.

Acetaminophen-aspirin Dosage

How should I take Acetaminophen-aspirin?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen and aspirin can cause serious harm.

Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours unless your doctor has told you to.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking aspirin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store acetaminophen and aspirin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Acetaminophen-aspirin?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of this medication can cause serious harm.

Overdose can cause ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, yellowing of your skin or eyes, increased sweating, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

What happens if I miss a dose of Acetaminophen-aspirin?

Since acetaminophen and aspirin is often used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Sourced from everydayhealth.com