SUNY Orange
Middletown, New York
DEPARTMENT of NURSING
MEDICATION CARD
NAME: Generic name - Acetaminophen
Trade names – Abenol, Acephen, Acet, Fortolin,
Taminol, Tempra, Tylenol
CLASSIFICATION:
Therapeutic class: antipyretics, nonopioid analgesics
Pharmacologic class:
ACTION: Therapeutic effects – Analgesia, and Antipyresis.
Pharmacokinetics – Absorption – Well absorbed following oral administration.
Distribution – Widely distributed.
Metabolism – 85 – 95% metabolized by the liver (CYP2EI enzyme system).
Metabolites may be toxic in an overdose situation.
Half-life – 1 – 3 hr.
Time/Action Peak- Duration: 3 – 8 hr.
CONTRAINDICATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS:
Contraindicated in – Products containing alcohol, aspartame, saccharin, sugar or tartrazine, yellow dye5#
Use cautiously in – hepatic disease/renal disease
ADVERSE REACTIONS AND SIDE EFFECTS:
Life-threatening reactions - are in CAPITAL LETTERS-acute generalized exanthema pustulosis, Stevens-Johnson
syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, hepatotoxicity
Most frequent reactions - are underlined
INTERACTIONS:
drug to drug-chronic high dose acetaminophen, risk of bleeding with warfarin
drug to food-
ROUTE AND DOSAGE:
usual dose for each method of administration-PO, IV
usual dose for each desired effect-PO>12 YR )325-650 MG, 1-12 yr. 10-15 mg, Adults and children >13 yr. mg every 4
hr. > 50kg, IV 1000 mg every 6 hrs. or 650 mg every 4 hr.
pharmacodynamics (onset, peak, and duration) PO-0.5-1hr-1-3 hr-3-8 hr., IV WITHIN 30 MIN -30 MKIN -4-6 hr.
NURSING IMPLICATIONS:
assessment – general-pain -assess the type, location, and intensity prior to and 30-60 min following administration,
fever assessment notes present signs of diaphoresis tachycardia, and malaise
toxicity-assess overall health status and alcohol usage before administering acetaminophen, assess amount
frequency and type of drugs taken in patients self-medicating, especially OTC drugs
lab test considerations-evaluate hepatic, hematologic, and renal function periodically during prolonged
high-dose therapy
potential nursing diagnoses
implementation – general-to prevent fatal medication errors ensure dose in milligrams and milliliters is not confused,
dosing is based on weight for patients under 50kg, and when combined with opioids do not exceed the maximum recommended
daily dose of acetaminophen
according to each method of administration-PO-administer, a full glass of water may be taken with
food or empty stomach, IV -intermittent infusion
compatibility-buprenorphine, butorphanol, cefoxitin, ceftriaxone, clindamycin, dexamethasone,
dexmedetomidine, D10W, D5/LR
client/family teaching factors-avoid alcohol 3 or more glasses per day increases the risk of liver damage, if taking more
than an occasional 1-2 doses, advise the patient to discontinue acetaminophen and notify the health care provider if a rash occurs
evaluation of medications effectiveness-relief of mild to moderate pain, reduction of fever
ASSESSMENTS:
STATE REASON WHY YOUR CLIENT IS RECEIVING THIS MEDICATION