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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.

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.

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.

Popular FAQ

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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.