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Look Up > Drugs > Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen
Pronunciation
U.S. Brand Names
Generic Available
Canadian Brand Names
Synonyms
Pharmacological Index
Use
Pregnancy Risk Factor
Contraindications
Warnings/Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage/Toxicology
Drug Interactions
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics
Usual Dosage
Dietary Considerations
Monitoring Parameters
Reference Range
Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status
Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment
Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions
Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment
Patient Information
Nursing Implications
Dosage Forms
References

Pronunciation
(a seet a MIN oh fen)

U.S. Brand Names
Acephen®[OTC]; Aceta®[OTC]; Apacet®[OTC]; Aspirin Free Anacin® Maximum Strength [OTC]; Children's Dynafed® Jr [OTC]; Children's Silapap®[OTC]; Extra Strength Dynafed® E.X. [OTC]; Feverall™[OTC]; Feverall™ Sprinkle Caps [OTC]; Genapap®[OTC]; Halenol® Children's [OTC]; Infants Feverall™[OTC]; Infants' Silapap®[OTC]; Junior Strength Panadol®[OTC]; Liquiprin®[OTC]; Mapap®[OTC]; Maranox®[OTC]; Neopap®[OTC]; Panadol®[OTC]; Redutemp®[OTC]; Ridenol®[OTC]; Tempra®[OTC]; Tylenol®[OTC]; Tylenol® Extended Relief [OTC]; Uni-Ace®[OTC]

Generic Available

Yes


Canadian Brand Names
Abenol®; A.F. Anacin®; Atasol®; Pediatrix; Tantaphen®

Synonyms
APAP; N-Acetyl-P-Aminophenol; Paracetamol

Pharmacological Index

Analgesic, Miscellaneous


Use

Dental: Treatment of postoperative pain

Medical: Treatment of mild to moderate pain and fever; does not have antirheumatic effects (analgesic)


Pregnancy Risk Factor

B


Contraindications

Patients with known G-6-PD deficiency; hypersensitivity to acetaminophen


Warnings/Precautions

May cause severe hepatic toxicity on overdose; use with caution in patients with alcoholic liver disease; chronic daily dosing in adults of 5-8 g of acetaminophen over several weeks or 3-4 g/day of acetaminophen for 1 year have resulted in liver damage


Adverse Reactions

Percentage unknown: May increase chloride, bilirubin, uric acid, glucose, ammonia, alkaline phosphatase; may decrease sodium, bicarbonate, calcium


Overdosage/Toxicology

Refer to the Acetaminophen Toxicity Nomogram in the Appendix

Acetylcysteine 140 mg/kg orally (loading) followed by 70 mg/kg every 4 hours for 17 doses. Therapy should be initiated based upon laboratory analysis suggesting high probability of hepatotoxic potential. Activated charcoal is very effective at binding acetaminophen.


Drug Interactions

CYP1A2 enzyme substrate (minor), CYP2E1 and 3A3/4 enzyme substrate

Increased toxicity: Barbiturates, carbamazepine, hydantoins, sulfinpyrazone can increase the hepatotoxic potential of acetaminophen; chronic ethanol abuse increases risk for acetaminophen toxicity; effect of warfarin may be enhanced


Mechanism of Action

Inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins in the central nervous system and peripherally blocks pain impulse generation; produces antipyresis from inhibition of hypothalamic heat-regulating center


Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Onset: <1 hour

Duration: 4-6 hours

Protein binding: 20% to 50%

Metabolism: At normal therapeutic dosages, the parent compound is metabolized in the liver to sulfate and glucuronide metabolites, while a small amount is metabolized by microsomal mixed function oxidases to a highly reactive intermediate (acetylimidoquinone) which is conjugated with glutathione and inactivated; at toxic doses (as little as 4 g in a single day) glutathione conjugation becomes insufficient to meet the metabolic demand causing an increase in acetylimidoquinone concentration, which is thought to cause hepatic cell necrosis

Half-life:

Neonates: 2-5 hours

Adults: Normal renal function: 1-3 hours; End-stage renal disease: 1-3 hours

Time to peak serum concentration: Oral: 10-60 minutes after normal doses, may be delayed in acute overdoses


Usual Dosage

Oral, rectal (if fever not controlled with acetaminophen alone, administer with full doses of aspirin on an every 4- to 6-hour schedule, if aspirin is not otherwise contraindicated):

0-3 months: 40 mg

4-11 months: 80 mg

1-2 years: 120 mg

2-3 years: 160 mg

4-5 years: 240 mg

6-8 years: 320 mg

9-10 years: 400 mg

11 years: 480 mg

Adults: 325-650 mg every 4-6 hours or 1000 mg 3-4 times/day; do not exceed 4 g/day

Dosing interval in renal impairment:

Clcr 10-50 mL/minute: Administer every 6 hours

Clcr <10 mL/minute: Administer every 8 hours (metabolites accumulate)

Hemodialysis: Moderately dialyzable (20% to 50%)

Dosing adjustment/comments in hepatic impairment: Appears to be well tolerated in cirrhosis; serum levels may need monitoring with long-term use


Dietary Considerations

Food: May slightly delay absorption of extended-release preparations; rate of absorption may be decreased when given with food high in carbohydrates

Alcohol: Excessive intake of alcohol may increase the risk of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity; avoid or limit alcohol intake


Monitoring Parameters

Relief of pain or fever


Reference Range

Therapeutic concentration (analgesic/antipyretic): 10-30 mg/mL

Toxic concentration (acute ingestion) with probable hepatotoxicity: >200 mg/mL at 4 hours or 50 mg/mL at 12 hours after ingestion


Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

None reported


Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

Barbiturates and carbamazepine may increase the hepatotoxic potential of acetaminophen


Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions

No information available to require special precautions


Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment

No effects or complications reported


Patient Information

Take exactly as directed (do not increase dose or frequency); most adverse effects are related to excessive use. Take with food or milk. While using this medication, avoid alcohol and other prescription or OTC medications that contain acetaminophen. Maintain adequate hydration (2-3 L/day of fluids unless instructed to restrict fluid intake). This medication will not reduce inflammation; consult prescriber for anti-inflammatory, if needed. Report unusual bleeding (stool, mouth, urine) or bruising; unusual fatigue and weakness; change in elimination patterns; or change in color of urine or stool.


Nursing Implications

Suppositories: Do not freeze

Suspension, oral: Shake well before pouring a dose


Dosage Forms

Caplet: 160 mg, 325 mg, 500 mg

Caplet, extended: 650 mg

Capsule: 80 mg

Drops: 48 mg/mL (15 mL); 60 mg/0.6 mL (15 mL); 80 mg/0.8 mL (15 mL); 100 mg/mL (15 mL, 30 mL)

Elixir: 80 mg/5 mL, 120 mg/5 mL, 160 mg/5 mL, 167 mg/5 mL, 325 mg/5 mL

Liquid, oral: 160 mg/5 mL, 500 mg/15 mL

Solution: 100 mg/mL (15 mL); 120 mg/2.5 mL

Suppository, rectal: 80 mg, 120 mg, 125 mg, 300 mg, 325 mg, 650 mg

Suspension, oral: 160 mg/5 mL

Suspension, oral drops: 80 mg/0.8 mL

Tablet: 325 mg, 500 mg, 650 mg

Tablet, chewable: 80 mg, 160 mg


References

Barker JD Jr, de Carle DJ, and Anuras S, "Chronic Excessive Acetaminophen Use in Liver Damage," Ann Intern Med, 1977, 87(3):299-301.

Burkhart KK, Janco N, Kulig KW, et al, "Cimetidine as Adjunctive Treatment for Acetaminophen Overdose," Hum Exp Toxicol, 1995, 14(3):299-304.

Dionne RA, Campbell RA, Cooper SA, et al, "Suppression of Postoperative Pain by Preoperative Administration of Ibuprofen in Comparison to Placebo, Acetaminophen, and Acetaminophen Plus Codeine," J Clin Pharmacol, 1983, 23(1):37-43.

"Drugs for Pain," Med Lett Drugs Ther, 1998, 40(1033):79-84.

Graudins A, Aaron CK, and Linden CH, "Overdose of Extended-Release Acetaminophen," N Engl J Med, 1995, 333(3):196.

Harrison PM, Keays R, Bray GP, et al, "Improved Outcome of Paracetamol-Induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure by Late Administration of Acetylcysteine," Lancet, 1990, 335(8705):1572-3.

Hochberg MC, Altman RD, Brandt KD, et al, "Guidelines for the Medical Management of Osteoarthritis. Part I. Osteoarthritis of the Hip. American College of Rheumatology," Arthritis Rheum, 1995, 38(11):1535-40.

Hochberg MC, Altman RD, Brandt KD, et al, "Guidelines for the Medical Management of Osteoarthritis. Part II. Osteoarthritis of the Knee. American College of Rheumatology," Arthritis Rheum, 1995, 38(11):1541-6.

Janes J and Routledge PA, "Recent Developments in the Management of Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) Poisoning," Drug Saf, 1992, 7(3):170-7.

Jones AL, "Mechanism of Action and Value of N-acetylcysteine in the Treatment of Early and Late Acetaminophen Poisoning: A Critical Review," J Tox Clin Tox, 1998, 36(4):277-85.

Katzir Z, Baruch O, Hochman B, et al, "Spontaneous Remission of Paracetamol Induced Acute Renal Failure," Clin Nephrol, 1995, 43(5):346.

Lee WM, "Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity," N Engl J Med, 1995, 333(17):1118-27.

Lewis RK and Paloucek FP, "Assessment and Treatment of Acetaminophen Overdose," Clin Pharm, 1991, 10(10):765-74.

Licht H, Seeff LB, and Zimmerman HJ, "Apparent Potentiation of Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity by Alcohol," Ann Intern Med, 1980, 92(4):511.

Murphy R, Swartz R, and Watkins PB, "Severe Acetaminophen Toxicity in a Patient Receiving Isoniazid," Ann Intern Med, 1990, 113(110):799-800.

Rose SR, "Subtleties of Managing Acetaminophen Poisoning," Am J Hosp Pharm, 1994, 51(24):3065-8.

Singer AJ, Carracio TR, and Mofenson HC, "The Temporal Profile of Increased Transaminase Levels in Patients With Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Dysfunction," Ann Emerg Med, 1995, 26(1):49-53.

Smilkstein MJ, Knapp GL, Kulig KW, et al, "Efficacy of Oral N-Acetylcysteine in the Treatment of Acetaminophen Overdose. Analysis of the National Multicenter Study (1976 to 1985)," N Engl J Med, 1988, 319(24):1557-62.

Stork CM, Rees S, Howland MA, et al, "Pharmacokinetics of Extended Relief vs Regular Release Tylenol® in a Simulated Human Overdose," J Toxicol Clin Toxicol, 1996, 34(2):157-62.

Vale JA and Proudfoot AT, "Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) Poisoning," Lancet, 1995, 346:547-52.

Watson WA, Vraa EP, and Neau SH, "Dissolution of Acetaminophen Tablets Under Overdose Conditions," Ann Pharmacother, 1997, 31(10):1262-3.

Whitcomb DC and Block GD, "Association of Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity With Fasting and Ethanol Use," JAMA, 1994, 272(23):1845-50.


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