What is the Max Dosage of Acetaminophen ?

Acetaminophen, which is also known as paracetamol, is a commonly used OTC (over-the-counter) pain reliever (analgesic) and fever reducer (antipyretic). People use it for headaches, and minor aches and pain. Liver injury from acetaminophen overdose remains a serious public health problem despite ongoing regulatory and educational efforts over the past several years to improve the safe use of medicines that contain acetaminophen.

Fioricet contains acetaminophen 325 mg per tablet. The max dosage of an adult for acetaminophen goes down from 4000mg to 3000mg per day (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/231915.php). So only acetaminophen, you should not take more than eight tablet fioricet per day. IF you take more than eight fioricet tablet per day, you will hurt your liver.

acetaminophen

From tylenol website, they lowered the maximum daily dose for single-ingredient Extra Strength TYLENOL® (acetaminophen) products sold in the U.S. from 8 pills per day (4,000 mg) to 6 pills per day (3,000 mg). The dosing interval has also changed from 2 pills every 4 – 6 hours to 2 pills every 6 hours.

What Is the Max Dosage of Acetaminophen ?

The maximum recommended dosage of acetaminophen varies depending on factors such as age, weight, and individual health conditions. However, for most healthy adults, the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen should not exceed 4,000 milligrams (mg) per day.

Here are some general guidelines for the maximum daily dosage of acetaminophen:

  1. Adults: The maximum recommended dose for adults is typically 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed, with a maximum of 4,000 mg per day.
  2. Elderly: Older adults and individuals with liver disease or liver impairment may be advised to take a lower maximum daily dose of acetaminophen to reduce the risk of liver damage. It’s important to consult a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations based on individual health status.
  3. Children: The maximum daily dose of acetaminophen for children depends on their age and weight. Pediatric dosages are typically lower than adult dosages and are based on weight or age ranges. Parents or caregivers should carefully follow the dosing instructions provided by a healthcare provider or on the medication label.
  4. Special Populations: Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult their healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen, as the maximum recommended dosage may vary during pregnancy and lactation.

Fioricet Side Effects

fioricetblueFioricet Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking this drug. Fioricet Side effects may include: fatal skin reactions, seizure, confusion, depression, excitement, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, intoxicated feeling, lightheadedness, nausea, sedation, shortness of breath, vomiting, excessive sweating.

Commonly reported side effects for Fioricet include:

  • Euphoria
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Intoxicated feeling
  • Light-headedness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Sedation
  • Substance dependence
  • Shortness of breath
  • Abdominal pain

Fioricet is implicated as causing repeat headaches with over-use.

Commonly reported side effects for Fioricet include:

  • Euphoria
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Intoxicated feeling
  • Light-headedness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Sedation
  • Substance dependence
  • Shortness of breath
  • Abdominal pain

Fioricet is implicated as causing repeat headaches with over-use

 

Fioricet Overdose

The treatment of Fioricet overdose is complicated by the presence of two substances which are highly toxic when taken in excessive amounts. Fioricet overdoses generally result in toxic amounts of both acetaminophen and butalbital being consumed at once, requiring both overdoses to be treated at once. Fioricet overdose by anyone and/or any consumption by persons to whom it is not prescribed (particularly children) is always a medical emergency and medical attention must be sought immediately if an overdose or consumption by other persons is suspected.

Fioricet overdose is often fatal and symptoms may not present for hours following consumption; once initial overdose symptoms present they can progress rapidly and there may not be time to reach appropriate medical care after this point.

Acetaminophen exerts its toxicity through the production of a toxic metabolite which can sometimes produce liver damage with doses as low as 4,000 mg, although normally requiring doses that are much higher. Acute liver failure may result in doses greatly exceeding this, and death has been known to occur with ingestion of 10,000-15,000 mg (10-15 grams of pure acetaminophen).

The specific antidote to acetaminophen overdose is N-acetylcysteine. Acute renal failure and upper gastrointestinal bleeding may also occur.

Butalbital exerts its toxicity through excessive sedation resulting in respiratory depression and ultimately death via hypoxia. Nonlethal overdoses may also result in coma and death. There is no specific antidote to barbiturate overdose and treatment is supportive. Common treatment regimens generally include the administration of intravenous administration of saline, naloxone, thiamine, glucose, sodium bicarbonate to alkalize the urine to increase rate of excretion, and activated charcoal via nasogastric tube.

It is not uncommon for a doctor to recommend observation of the patient in the emergency department for a number of hours or admission to the hospital for several days of observation if symptoms are severe and to counsel the patient on drug abuse or refer them for psychiatric evaluation.

Fioricet Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  1. Lightheadedness
  2. shortness of breath

Incidence not known

  1. Abdominal or stomach pain
  2. black, tarry stools
  3. bleeding gums
  4. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  5. blood in the urine or stools
  6. blurred vision
  7. change in the frequency of urination or amount of urine
  8. chills
  9. cough
  10. diarrhea
  11. difficulty with breathing
  12. difficulty with swallowing
  13. dizziness
  14. drowsiness
  15. dry mouth
  16. fainting
  17. fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  18. flushed or dry skin
  19. fruit-like breath odor
  20. hives, itching, or skin rash
  21. increased hunger
  22. increased thirst
  23. increased urination
  24. joint or muscle pain
  25. loss of appetite
  26. nausea or vomiting
  27. pinpoint red spots on the skin
  28. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  29. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  30. red, irritated eyes
  31. seizures
  32. shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
  33. sore throat
  34. sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
  35. sweating
  36. swelling of the feet or lower legs
  37. tightness in the chest
  38. trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
  39. troubled breathing
  40. unexplained weight loss
  41. unusual bleeding or bruising
  42. unusual tiredness or weakness
  43. weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

  1. Confusion as to time, place, or person
  2. dark urine
  3. difficult or painful urination
  4. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  5. fever
  6. general feeling of discomfort or illness
  7. hallucinations
  8. headache
  9. holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
  10. increased sweating
  11. irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
  12. light-colored stools
  13. loss of appetite
  14. pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
  15. restlessness
  16. sudden decrease in the amount of urine
  17. sweating
  18. trouble sleeping
  19. unpleasant breath odor
  20. unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
  21. vomiting of blood
  22. yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Relaxed and calm
  2. sleepiness

Incidence not known

  1. Anxiety
  2. bloated
  3. constipation
  4. continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
  5. depression
  6. earache
  7. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
  8. false or unusual sense of well-being
  9. full feeling
  10. hearing loss
  11. heartburn
  12. heavy eyelids
  13. high energy
  14. hot spells
  15. hyperventilation
  16. irritability
  17. numbness
  18. pain in the leg
  19. passing gas
  20. sluggishness
  21. stuffy nose
  22. tingling sensation

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.