Acetaminophen and phenylephrine

Generic name: Acetaminophen And Phenylephrine
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Usage of Acetaminophen and phenylephrine

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Acetaminophen and phenylephrine is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, stuffy nose, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

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

Acetaminophen and phenylephrine side effects

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

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking acetaminophen and phenylephrine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.

The medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;

confusion, hallucinations;

tremor, seizure (convulsions);

little or no urinating;

nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, seizure).

Common side effects of acetaminophen and phenylephrine may include:

dizziness, weakness;

mild headache;

mild nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;

runny nose;

feeling nervous, restless, or anxious; or

sleep problems (insomnia).

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.

Before taking Acetaminophen and phenylephrine

You should not use acetaminophen and phenylephrine if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or phenylephrine.

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:

liver disease, cirrhosis, a history of alcoholism, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;

high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease;

overactive thyroid;

pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or

if you take an anti-depressant.

It is not known whether acetaminophen and phenylephrine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use cough or cold medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

Acetaminophen and phenylephrine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use cough or cold medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

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

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How to use Acetaminophen and phenylephrine

Usual Adult Dose for Nasal Congestion:

325 mg acetaminophen / 5 mg phenylephrine tablets/gelcaps: 2 orally every 4 hours Maximum dose: 5 doses per day500 mg acetaminophen / 5 mg phenylephrine tablets: 2 orally every 6 hoursMaximum dose: 4 doses per day

Usual Adult Dose for Sinus Symptoms:

Usual Adult Dose for Headache:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Nasal Congestion:

325 mg acetaminophen / 5 mg phenylephrine tablets/gelcaps: 12 years and older: 2 orally every 4 hours Maximum dose: 5 doses per day500 mg acetaminophen / 5 mg phenylephrine tablets: 12 years and older: 2 orally every 6 hoursMaximum dose: 4 doses per day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sinus Symptoms:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Headache:

Warnings

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

What other drugs will affect Acetaminophen and phenylephrine

Other drugs may interact with acetaminophen and phenylephrine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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