What is Anacin P.M. Aspirin Free (Acetaminophen Diphenhydr Amine)?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body. Diphenhydramine prevents sneezing; itchy, watery eyes and nose; and other symptoms of allergies and hay fever.

The combination of acetaminophen and diphenhydramine is used to treat runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and pain or fever caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu. This medication is also used to treat night time pain and help you sleep.

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Anacin P.M. Aspirin Free (Acetaminophen Diphenhydr Amine)?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, or any antihistamine.

Before using acetaminophen and diphenhydramine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease
• glaucoma
• kidney disease
• an enlarged prostate; or
• problems with urination

Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

It is not known whether acetaminophen and diphenhydramine will harm an unborn baby. Before using acetaminophen, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

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

Anacin P.M. Aspirin Free Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Anacin P.M. Aspirin Free (Acetaminophen Diphenhydr Amine)?

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 heartbeats
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior
• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness
• urinating less than usual or not at all
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects may include:

• dryness of the eyes, nose, and mouth
• blurred vision
• difficulty urinating
• dizziness, drowsiness
• problems with memory or concentration
• ringing in your ears
• feeling restless or excited (especially in children); or
• mild nausea, stomach pain, constipation

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.

Anacin P.M. Aspirin Free Interactions

What other drugs affect Anacin P.M. Aspirin Free (Acetaminophen Diphenhydr Amine)?

Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by acetaminophen and diphenhydramine. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.

The following drugs can interact with acetaminophen and diphenhydramine. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• isoniazid
• zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT)
• an antidepressant
• a diuretic (water pill)
• gout medications such as probenecid (Benemid)
• medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome
• bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol) or tolterodine (Detrol)
• aspirin or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan’s Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others); or
• seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)

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

What should I avoid while taking Anacin P.M. Aspirin Free (Acetaminophen Diphenhydr Amine)?

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

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

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen, and can add to drowsiness caused by diphenhydramine.

Anacin P.M. Aspirin Free Dosage

How should I take Anacin P.M. Aspirin Free (Acetaminophen Diphenhydr Amine)?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children.

An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver. One dose of this medication may contain up to 1000 mg of acetaminophen. Know the amount of acetaminophen in the specific product you are taking.

If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, do not take acetaminophen without your doctor’s advice, and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.

Take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.

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

What happens if I overdose on Anacin P.M. Aspirin Free (Acetaminophen Diphenhydr Amine)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, drowsiness, feeling restless or nervous, dry mouth, warmth or tingly feeling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, increased sweating, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

What happens if I miss a dose of Anacin P.M. Aspirin Free (Acetaminophen Diphenhydr Amine)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Edited from everydayhealth.com