STUDENT NAME _____________________________________
MEDICATION ________Acetaminophen_________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________
CATEGORY CLASS _________________NSAIDS_____________________________________________________
Inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins that may serve as mediators of
pain and fever, primarily in CNS. Has no significant anti-inflammatory
properties or GI toxicity
1. Antipyretic: Reduces fever by acting directly on the hypothalamic
heat-regulating center to cause vasodilation and sweating, which helps
dissipate heat. 2. Analgesic: Site and mechanism of action unclear
1. CNS: Headache 2. CV: Chest pain, dyspnea, myocardial damage when doses of 5–8 g/day
are ingested daily for several
weeks or when doses of 4 g/day are ingested for 1 yr 3. GI:
Hepatic toxicity and failure, jaundice 4. GU: Acute kidney failure, renal tubular necrosis 5.
Hematologic: Methemoglobinemia—cyanosis; hemolytic anemia—hematuria, anuria;
neutropenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycemia 6. Hypersensitivity:
Rash, fever
1. Hepatic disease/renal disease (lower chronic dosage recommanded) 2. Chronic alcohol
use/abuse 3. Malnutrition. 4. Previous hypersensitivity; Products containing alcohol,
aspartame, saccharin, sugar, or tartrazine (FDC yellow dye #5) should be avoided in patients
who have hypersensitivity or intolerance these compounds. 5. Use cautiously with
pregnancy, lactation
DRUG-DRUG: 1. Chronic high dose acetaminophen(more than 2g/day) may increase risk of bleeding with Wafarin.
Hepatotoxicity is additive with other hepatotoxic substances, including alcohol. 2. Concurrent use of
sulfinpyrazone, isoniazid, rifampin, rifabutin, phenytoin, barbiturates, and carbamazepine may increase the risk of
acetaminophen-induced liver damage; and these agents will also decrease therapeutic effects of acetaminophen.
3. Concurrent use of NSAIDs increase the risk of adverse renal effects. eg) Propranolol decreases metabolism and
may increase effects. May decrease effects of lamotrigine and zidovudine
1. Reduction
2.
pain.
fever
Relief of mild
of
1. Relief of mild pain. 2. Reduction of fever
Slowly over a certain amount of time
1. Do not exceed the recommended dosage. 2. Consult
physician if needed for children < 3 yr; if needed for longer
than 10 days; if continued fever, severe or recurrent pain
occurs (possible serious illness). 3. Avoid using multiple
preparations containing acetaminophen. Carefully check all
OTC products. 4. Give drug with food if GI upset occurs. 5.
Discontinue drug if hypersensitivity reactions occur. 6.
Treatment of overdose: Monitor serum levels regularly, Nacetylcysteine should be available as a specific antidote; basic
life support measures may be necessary
1. Advise pt not to exceed recommended dose; not to
take for longer than 10 days(for adult) or 5 days (for
child). 2. Advise to take the drug only for complaints
indicated; it is not an anti-inflammatory agent. 3.
Advise to avoid the use of other NSAIDs concurrently
for more than a few days. 4. Inform pats with diabetes
that acetaminophen may alter results of blood glucose
monitoring. 5. Advise patients to consult Dr. if
discomfort of fever is not relieved by routine doses of
this drug or if fever is greater than 39.5 C (103 F) or
less longer than 3 days.