Chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, and arthritis affect nearly one in three American adults. Of the 100 million Americans living with chronic pain, nearly 9 out of 10 use medicines to treat their symptoms.

If you are using an over-the-counter (OTC) and/or prescription (Rx) medicine to manage your pain, it’s important to know if your medicines contain acetaminophen. Always read and follow the label to avoid taking more than one medicine with acetaminophen at the same time. Here are some common ways people can unintentionally take too much acetaminophen:

Exceeding the Labeled Dose:
Common Acetaminophen Dosing Mistakes

Of those who exceed 4,000mg in 1 day, most do so by:

  • Taking the next dose too soon
  • Using multiple products containing acetaminophen
  • Taking too much at one time

OTC medicines are not intended to treat chronic pain. Stop use and ask a healthcare provider if your pain lasts more than 10 days.