acetaminophen and pentazocine Health Article

How should I take acetaminophen and pentazocine?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm to your liver. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. One acetaminophen and pentazocine tablet contains 650 mg of acetaminophen. Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Take with food or milk to ease stomach upset. Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily to help prevent constipation while you are taking acetaminophen and pentazocine. Ask your doctor about ways to increase the fiber in your diet. Do not use a stool softener (laxative) without first asking your doctor. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using acetaminophen and pentazocine after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain urine tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using acetaminophen and pentazocine.

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

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of how many tablets have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Pentazocine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since acetaminophen and pentazocine is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking 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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of acetaminophen and pentazocine can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, anxiety, nightmares, pinpoint pupils, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), confusion, fainting, weak pulse, coma, blue lips, shallow breathing, or no breathing.

What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen and pentazocine?

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 over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much acetaminophen. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen and pentazocine. Alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, or seizure medication can add to sleepiness caused by pentazocine, or could slow your breathing. Tell your doctor if you need to use any of these other medicines while you are taking acetaminophen and pentazocine.