Do your patients know that
both of these contain acetaminophen

Use only as directed.

Today more than 600 over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription (Rx) medications contain acetaminophen. Some patients accidentally exceed the recommended dose when taking multiple acetaminophen-containing products at the same time, often without realizing they contain acetaminophen or by not reading and following the dosing instructions.

To help ensure that people who use TYLENOL®, and other products containing acetaminophen, use them appropriately, we are implementing new steps including:

  • New dosing instructions for Extra Strength TYLENOL®. The revised dosing instructions will direct patients to take 2 caplets (1,000 mg) every 6 hours while symptoms last, and not to take more than 6 caplets (3,000 mg) in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor. Read Letter to Healthcare Professionals
  • GET RELIEF RESPONSIBLY™. This national initiative will help educate your patients about the appropriate use of acetaminophen-containing medications and the importance of following OTC and Rx product labels. At the GetReliefResponsibly.com website, patients can access informational videos, tips from medical experts and interactive tools designed to help them determine if their medicines contain acetaminophen.
  • Changes to pharmacy-generated labels. McNeil is working with multiple stakeholders to replace "APAP," an abbreviation most patients don’t know, with the complete generic name, acetaminophen on pharmacy-generated container labels.
  • Collaboration with professional and consumer organizations. McNeil is collaborating on educational efforts with national organizations to promote consumer awareness of appropriate acetaminophen use.
  • Innovations in product packaging. McNeil will introduce new design and messaging on TYLENOL® packages to help patients understand proper use and correct dosing.

We ask for your help in reminding patients to never take more than one acetaminophen-containing medication at the same time, not to exceed the recommended dose and always read and follow the label.

Get Relief Responsibly.

Proper Disposal of Unused Medicine

In addition to medicine-disposal regulations for pharmacies, some states have community take-back programs through which patients can return unused drugs. If your area has such a program, encourage patients to contact their local pharmacy or local authority to learn how to use it.

If no take-back program is available, you may want to advise patients to follow these guidelines:

  • Unless instructed otherwise, do not dispose of unused medicines by emptying them into a sink, toilet, or storm drain
  • Place unused medicines in an unrecognizable sealed container, and ensure that children, pets, and others do not have access to the contents of the container
  • Dispose of the container in household trash

Additional guidance for patients is available at:
www.smarxtdisposal.net.