Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is the most common drug ingredient in the United States. It’s found in more than 600 different medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, fever reducers, and sleep aids as well as cough, cold, and allergy medicines. Each week, approximately 23 percent of U.S. adults — or 52 million consumers — use an acetaminophen-containing medicine.

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Basic Page

Safe Use of Acetaminophen

Safe use of acetaminophen is a top priority for manufacturers of OTC medicines. Manufacturers work closely with FDA, healthcare provider groups, pharmacist groups, and consumer health advocates to drive safe and responsible use of acetaminophen.

Basic Page

FAQs About Acetaminophen and Other Oral OTC Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers

Find frequently asked questions about OTC oral pain relievers and fever reducers including acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen sodium.

Browse Acetaminophen Content

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Press Releases and Statements

CHPA Statement: OTC Pain Relievers and COVID-19 Vaccines

Recent media reports have cited infectious disease experts who recommend against premedicating with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, like those containing acetaminophen and ibuprofen, when getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Feb 4, 2021

Press Releases and Statements

CHPA Statement Regarding California’s Upcoming Review of Acetaminophen

Medical and patient groups, public health experts, FDA, and others join the Consumer Healthcare Products Association in opposing the addition of acetaminophen to the Proposition 65 list.

Jan 23, 2020

Article

California Prop 65: Acetaminophen

Jan 16, 2020

Submission

Acetaminophen Prop 65 Briefing Packet

FDA has determined that the currently available evidence does not support the conclusion that acetaminophen causes cancer. Accordingly, a Proposition 65 cancer warning on the labeling of products containing acetaminophen would not be scientifically accurate, and such labeling would be false or misleading.

Dec 13, 2019

Submission

Prop 65 Acetaminophen Coalition Comments to OEHHA

We strongly urge the CIC not to “list” acetaminophen as a carcinogen due to the lack of evidence that it has been “clearly shown” to cause cancer, and due to the unnecessary confusion and fear it could cause among consumers and patients.

Nov 5, 2019

Submission

Letter Regarding Hazard Identification Materials for Acetaminophen

This information is submitted on behalf of CHPA in response to the September 20, 2019 OEHHA notice: Announcement of the Carcinogen Identification Committee Meeting Scheduled for December 5, 2019, Notice of Availability of Hazard Identification Materials for Acetaminophen and Notice of Public Comment Period.

Nov 4, 2019

Press Releases and Statements

CHPA Statement Regarding Acetaminophen Study in JAMA Psychiatry

CHPA supports and encourages continued research and promotes ongoing consumer education to help ensure safe use of OTC medicines.

Nov 1, 2019

Infographic

Awareness of Acetaminophen Safe Use Remains High

Research shows that pain medicine users have consistently understood how to use their medicines safely and remain aware of the risks.

May 1, 2019

OTC Medicines

Acetaminophen

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Press Releases and Statements

Study Shows Decrease in Misuse of OTC Acetaminophen-Containing Combination Products

In a study newly published in the medical journal Clinical Toxicology, “therapeutic misuse” of OTC combination products containing acetaminophen was infrequent and declined over a 10-year period.

Oct 18, 2018