Acuflex contains a combination of acetaminophen and phenyltoloxamine. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Phenyltoloxamine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Acuflex is used to treat runny nose, sneezing, and pain or fever caused by the common cold, flu, or seasonal allergies.
Acuflex may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Do not use Acuflex if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take Acuflex before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Acuflex can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can cause damage to your liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, do not take acetaminophen without your doctor"s advice, and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) of acetaminophen per day. Do not take Acuflex without your doctor"s advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take acetaminophen.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Acuflex?
You should not take Acuflex if you are allergic to acetaminophen or phenyltoloxamine. Do not use Acuflex if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take Acuflex before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Before taking Acuflex, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Acuflex.
Tell your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.
Acuflex may harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Acuflex can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Acuflex?
Take Acuflex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Do not take more than 1 gram (1000 mg) of acetaminophen per dose or 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. An acetaminophen overdose can damage your liver. Know the amount of acetaminophen in the product you are taking.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if you have a fever for longer than 3 days.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking Acuflex.
Store Acuflex at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, increased sweating, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
What should I avoid?
Acuflex can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking Acuflex. It can increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen. Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, other pain medicines, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by phenyltoloxamine. Do not use any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP") and antihistamines are contained in many combination medicines. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen, APAP, or an antihistamine.
Acuflex side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Acuflex and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
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easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.
Less serious Acuflex side effects may include:
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dry eyes, nose, and mouth;
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drowsiness or dizziness;
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blurred vision;
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urinating less than usual; or
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feeling restless or excited (especially in children).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Acuflex?
There may be other drugs that can interact with Acuflex. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
