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DRUG STUDY- Acetaminophen Drug Name ACETAMINOPHEN (a-seat-a-mee'noefen) Dosage & Route Adults PO or PR By suppository, 325 650 mg q 46 hr or PO, 1,000 mg tid to qid. Do not exceed 4 g/day. PEDIATRIC PATIENTS PO or PR Doses may be repeated 45 times/day; do not exceed five doses in 24 hr; give PO or by suppository.
Age Dosage (mg) 03 mo 40 411 mo 80 1223 mo 120 23 yr 160 45 yr 240 68 yr 320 910 yr 400 11 yr 480

Action Antipyretic: Reduces fever by acting directly on the hypothalamic heat-regulating center to cause vasodilation and sweating, which helps dissipate heat. Analgesic: Site and mechanism of action unclear. .

Indication

Adverse Effects

Contraindication Contraindicated with allergy to acetaminophen. Use cautiously with impaired hepatic function, chronic alcoholism, and pregnancy, lactation.

Nursing responsibility Do not exceed the recommended dosage. 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). Avoid using multiple preparations containing acetaminophen. Carefully check all OTC products. Give drug with food if GI upset occurs. Discontinue drug if hypersensitivity reactions occur. Treatment of overdose: Monitor serum levels regularly, Nacetylcysteine should be available as a specific antidote; basic life support measures may be necessary.

Suppositories: Abenol (CAN), Acephen Oral: Aceta, Apacet, Atasol (CAN), Genapap, Genebs, Liquiprin, Mapap, Panadol, Tapanol, Tempra, Tylenol Classification: Antipyretic Analgesic (nonopioid)

Analgesicantipyretic in patients with aspirin allergy, hemostatic disturbances, bleeding diatheses, upper GI disease, gouty arthritis Arthritis and rheumatic disorders involving musculoskelet al pain (but lacks clinically significant antirheumatic and antiinflammatory effects) Common cold, flu, other viral and bacterial infections with pain and fever Unlabeled use: Prophylactic for children receiving DPT vaccination to reduce incidence of fever and pain

CNS: Headache CV: Chest pain, dyspnea, myocardial damage when doses of 58 g/day are ingested daily for several weeks or when doses of 4 g/day are ingested for 1 yr GI: Hepatic toxicity and failure, jaundice GU: Acute kidney failure, renal tubular necrosis Hematologic: Methemoglobinemi acyanosis; hemolytic anemia hematuria, anuria; neutropenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycemia Hypersensitivity: Rash, fever

Teaching Point: Do not take for longer than 10 days. Take the drug only for complaints indicated; it is not an anti-

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inflammatory agent. Avoid the use of other over-the-counter preparations. They may contain acetaminophen, and serious overdosage can occur. If you need an over-the-counter preparation, consult your health care provider. Report rash, unusual bleeding or bruising, yellowing of skin or eyes, changes in voiding patterns.