Well Done!
You helped our friends make their way safely through a day of aches, pains, and sniffles. Now you know that whether you suffer from backaches or arthritis, headaches or allergies it is important to Know Your Dose when taking acetaminophen. When used as directed, acetaminophen is safe and effective. But there is a limit to how much you can take in one day. Taking more acetaminophen than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage. Remember:
- Always read and follow the labels of your medicines
- Know if your medicine contains acetaminophen
- Never take two medicines that contain acetaminophen at the same time.
We know that you have plenty of friends and family that take medicines containing acetaminophen.
Please help us spread the word about using it safely - share this game on Facebook, Twitter, or via email.
Acetaminophen in the game of life.
Just choose a character and help them make the right decisions as they journey through a typical day. When you're done, feel free to play again using one of the other personas.
is an architect. He works hard, and is active in the evenings playing basketball. He occasionally takes a prescription medicine to manage his lower back pain. Sometimes, the stress of his job can also bring on a headache. He keeps an over-the-counter medicine containing acetaminophen on hand for when his head begins to pound.
is retired and a grandmother. Warm weather finds her planting in her garden, but all that time on her knees really affects her arthritic joints. She takes a daily prescription medicine to help her arthritis so she can work in her garden. Etta also takes an over-the-counter medicine for seasonal allergies, so she can play outside with her grandkids without sneezing.
is a new mom. Her son Fin is two years old, and came home from daycare with a fever. He also has a new tooth coming in. Mina reads the label on all the medicines she gives him, and is extra careful about dosage amounts.
Bedroom
Ace wakes up with a dull headache. He wishes he had more time to sleep, which usually helps alleviate his headache pain. He thinks: I'm bigger than the average male, and I need relief from my headache is it ok to take more of my over-the-counter medicine containing acetaminophen than directed on the label?
Yes NoNo. As with any medicine, medicines that contain acetaminophen must be used according to the directions on the Drug Facts label on over-the-counter medicine or the prescription label. You should never use more than is recommended or use longer than the label instructs.
ContinueAcetaminophen is found in more than 600 different prescription and over-the-counter medicines, including pain relievers, fever reducers, and sleep aids, as well as cough, cold, and allergy medicines.
ContinueYes. It is important to know that prescription medicines may list "APAP," "acetamin" or another shorted version of the word. All of these mean that acetaminophen is in the medicine.
ContinueNo. You should never take more than one medicine containing acetaminophen at the same time.
ContinueAt Breakfast
Etta's arthritic knees start to hurt, which reminds her to take her prescription. She really wants to garden today! One of the ingredients on the label is listed as "acetamin."She wonders: Is that the same ingredient as the acetaminophen that is in her over-the-counter medicine?
Yes NoYes. It is important to know that prescription medicines may list "APAP," "acetamin," or another shorted version of the word. All of these mean that acetaminophen is in the medicine.
ContinueYes. Individuals who drink three or more alcoholic drinks a day, have liver disease, or are taking warfarin should talk to their healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen. They may be at greater risk for liver damage. Also, talk to a healthcare professional if pregnant or breastfeeding before taking acetaminophen.
ContinueYes. You should never take more than one medicine containing acetaminophen at the same time.
ContinueMaybe. Check the label. A medicine's directions tell you exactly how and when to take a medicine. You should never take more than the label says, or more often or longer than the label says, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Remember, there is a limit to how much acetaminophen you can take in a day. Taking more than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage.
ContinueYes. The “Active Ingredient” section of the Drug Facts label lists the ingredient or ingredients that make the medicine work. Acetaminophen will be listed here, either by itself or with other active ingredients in the product. It may be highlighted. Always check this section to see if your medicine contains acetaminophen.
ContinueYes. While all pediatric liquid acetaminophen - infants' and children's - will be one strength, there are different dosing instructions and different dosing devices. Infants' acetaminophen products are sold with a syringe or dropper, and children's acetaminophen products are sold with a dosing cup. Always follow the specific dosing instructions on the medicine label and use the proper dosing device.
ContinueNo. Use only the dosing device provided with the purchased product in order to correctly measure the right amount of liquid acetaminophen. All dosing devices for all products will have uniform measurement markings, with the preferred unit of measurement being milliliters (mL).
ContinueNo. Infants and children should never be given adult concentrations of medicines containing acetaminophen.
Continue