Acephen

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 4/28/2023

Drug Summary

What Is Acephen?

Acephen (acetaminophen suppository) is a pain reliever/fever reducer used to temporarily reduce fever and to relieve minor aches, pains, and headache.

What Are Side Effects of Acephen?

Acephen may cause serious side effects including:

  • hives,
  • difficulty breathing,
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat,
  • skin redness,
  • rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling,
  • nausea,
  • upper stomach pain,
  • loss of appetite,
  • itching,
  • dark urine,
  • clay-colored stools, and
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Side effects of Acephen are uncommon and may include:

  • allergic skin reactions (redness, blisters, rash)

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Acephen

The dose of Acephen in adults and children 12 years and older is 1 suppository every 4 to 6 hours while symptoms persist. Do not exceed 6 doses of Acephen in any 24-hour period.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Acephen?

Acephen may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Acephen During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Acephen. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Acephen (acetaminophen suppository) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Drug Description

DESCRIPTION

Active Ingredient (in each rectal suppository)

Acetaminophen 650 mg

Inactive Ingredients

glyceryl stearate, hydrogenated vegetable oil, polyethylene glycol 100 stearate, sorbitan monooleate

Indications & Dosage

INDICATIONS

Purpose

Pain reliever/fever reducer

Uses

temporarily

  • reduces fever
  • relieves minor aches, pains, and headache

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Directions

  • do not use more than directed
  • remove foil wrapper
  • carefully insert suppository well up into rectum
  • adults and children 12 years and older
    • 1 suppository every 4 to 6 hours while symptoms persist
    • do not exceed 6 doses in any 24-hour period
  • children under 12 years : do not use

HOW SUPPLIED

Dosage Forms And Strengths

NDC 0713-0165-01

Storage

  • store at 15°-30°C (59°-86°F)

G&W Laboratories, Inc. Revised: Jan 2012

Side Effects & Drug Interactions

SIDE EFFECTS

No information provided.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

No information provided.

Warnings & Precautions

WARNINGS

For rectal use only

Liver Warning: This product contains acetaminophen. Severe liver damage may occur if

  • an adult or child 12 years and older takes more than 6 doses in 24 hours, which is the maximum daily amount
  • taken with other drugs containing acetaminophen
  • an adult takes 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product

Allergy alert: acetaminophen may cause severe skin reactions. Symptoms may include:

  • skin reddening
  • blisters
  • rash

If a skin reaction occurs, stop use and seek medical help right away.

Do not use

  • in children under 12 years
  • if you are allergic to acetaminophen
  • with any other drug containing acetaminophen (prescription or nonprescription). If you are not sure whether a drug contains acetaminophen, ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Ask a doctor before use if

Stop use and ask a doctor if

  • fever lasts more than 3 days (72 hours), or recurs
  • pain gets worse or lasts more than 10 days
  • new symptoms occur
  • redness or swelling is present in the painful area

These may be signs of a serious condition.

If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed or in case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Quick medical attention is critical in case of overdose for adults and
for children even if you do not notice any signs or symptoms If swallowed, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away.

PRECAUTIONS

See WARNINGS above.

Overdose & Contraindications

OVERDOSE

No information provided.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

No information provided.

Clinical Pharmacology

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

No information provided.

Medication Guide

PATIENT INFORMATION

No information provided. Please refer to the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS sections.

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You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.