Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.

Pentazocine is a narcotic pain medicine.

The combination of acetaminophen and pentazocine is used to treat mild to moderate pain.

Acetaminophen and pentazocine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver.

The amount of acetaminophen in one Talacen tablet is 650 mg. Take no more than 6 tablets in 24 hours. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

This medication may be habit-forming. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using acetaminophen and pentazocine after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to gradually reduce the dose.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

There may be other drugs that can affect acetaminophen and pentazocine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen is contained in many cold and pain medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much acetaminophen. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of acetaminophen and pentazocine.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by acetaminophen and pentazocine.

Acetaminophen and pentazocine 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.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an acetaminophen and pentazocine overdose may include anxiety, fast heartbeat, unusual thoughts, strange dreams, hallucinations (seeing things that are not there), weakness, nausea, vomiting, numbness or tingling, or shallow breathing.

Since acetaminophen and pentazocine is sometimes used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver.

Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen is contained in many cold and pain medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much acetaminophen. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen.

This medication may be habit-forming. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using acetaminophen and pentazocine after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to gradually reduce the dose.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of acetaminophen and pentazocine.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by acetaminophen and pentazocine.

Acetaminophen and pentazocine 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 use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen or pentazocine.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, of if you have:

• asthma or other breathing disorder;

• a history of brain tumor or head injury;

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction;

• heart disease or history of heart attack;

• an allergy to sulfites;

• kidney disease;

• liver disease; or

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use acetaminophen and pentazocine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, and could cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether acetaminophen and pentazocine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 12 years old.

Your pharmacist has information about acetaminophen and pentazocine written for health professionals that you may read.

Acetaminophen and pentazocine is available with a prescription under the brand name Talacen. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.