Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is acetaminophen. You may hear it called by the brand name 'Tylenol'. You may also see it written as 'APAP' or 'acetam', which are abbreviations.

This medicine relieves pain and reduces fevers. It is effective and safe when used correctly. If you will be using this medicine without the help of a health care provider, you should follow three steps to use this medicine safely. 

First, you should always read the label carefully and follow the directions. If you are using a liquid form, be sure to use the dosing device that came with the medicine to measure each dose. 

The second step is to check all of your medicines to see if they contain acetaminophen. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 

The third and last step is to never take more than one medicine at a time that contains acetaminophen. Taking too much could cause severe liver damage. Acetaminophen is found in over 600 different medicines, so you have to be careful. 

Certain patients must talk to their doctors before using this medicine. These are:
- patients who drink more than 2 alcoholic drinks every day
- patients who take warfarin
- patients who have liver disease
- and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

There are times when you should stop using acetaminophen and call your doctor. These are:
- if the pain gets worse or lasts more than 10 days
- if the fever gets worse or lasts more than 3 days
- or if you notice new symptoms, redness or swelling. 

For best results, read the directions carefully and keep all medicines out of the reach of children.