acetaminophen

Absorption: Well absorbed following oral administration. Rectal absorption is variable. Intravenous administration results in complete bioavailability.

Distribution: Widely distributed. Crosses the placenta; enters breast milk in low concentrations.

Metabolism/Excretion: 85–95% metabolized by the liver (CYP2E1 enzyme system). Metabolites may be toxic in overdose situation. Metabolites excreted by the kidneys.

Half-Life: Neonates: 7 hr; Infants and Children: 3–4 hr; Adults: 1–3 hr.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

(analgesia and antipyresis)

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	0.5–1 hr	1–3 hr	3–8 hr‡
Rect	0.5–1 hr	1–3 hr	3–4 hr
IV‡	within 30 min	30 min	4–6 hr

‡Depends on dose.

‡Antipyretic effects.

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Previous hypersensitivity;
Products containing alcohol, aspartame, saccharin, sugar, or tartrazine (FDC yellow dye #5) should be avoided in patients who have hypersensitivity or intolerance to these compounds;
Severe hepatic impairment/active liver disease.

Use Cautiously in:

Hepatic disease/renal disease (lower chronic doses recommended);
Alcoholism, chronic malnutrition, severe hypovolemia, or severe renal impairment (CCr <30 mL/min, ↑ dosing interval and ↓ daily dose may be necessary);
Chronic alcohol use/abuse;
Malnutrition;
OB: Use in pregnancy only if clearly needed (for IV);
Lactation: Use cautiously (for IV).

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

CV: hypertension (IV), hypotension (IV)

Derm: ACUTE GENERALIZED EXANTHEMATOUS PUSTULOSIS, rash, STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME (SJS), TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS, urticaria

F and E: hypokalemia (IV)

GI: ↑liver enzymes, constipation (↑ in children) (IV), HEPATOTOXICITY (WITH HIGHER DOSES), nausea (IV), vomiting (IV)

GU: renal failure (high doses/chronic use)

Hemat: neutropenia, pancytopenia

MS: muscle spasms (IV), trismus (IV)

Neuro: agitation (↑ in children) (IV), anxiety (IV), fatigue (IV), headache (IV), insomnia (IV)

Resp: atelectasis (↑ in children) (IV), dyspnea (IV)

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-drug:

Chronic high-dose acetaminophen (>2 g/day) may ↑ risk of bleeding with warfarin (INR should not exceed 4).
Hepatotoxicity is additive with other hepatotoxic substances, including alcohol.
Concurrent use of isoniazid, rifampin, rifabutin, phenytoin, barbiturates, and carbamazepine may ↑ the risk of acetaminophen-induced liver damage (limit self-medication); these agents will also ↓ therapeutic effects of acetaminophen.
Concurrent use of NSAIDs may ↑ the risk of adverse renal effects (avoid chronic concurrent use).
Propranolol↓ metabolism and may ↑ effects.
May ↓ effects of lamotrigine and zidovudine.

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

Children ≤12 yr should not receive >5 PO or rectal doses/24 hr without notifying physician or other health care professional. No dose adjustment needed when converting between IV and PO acetaminophen in adults and children ≥50 kg
PO (Adults and Children >12 yr): 325–650 mg every 6 hr or 1 g 3–4 times daily or 1300 mg every 8 hr (not to exceed 3 g or 2 g/24 hr in patients with hepatic/renal impairment).
PO (Children 1–12 yr): 10–15 mg/kg/dose every 6 hr as needed (not to exceed 5 doses/24 hr).
PO (Infants ): 10–15 mg/kg/dose every 6 hr as needed (not to exceed 5 doses/24 hr).
PO (Neonates ): 10–15 mg/kg/dose every 6–8 hr as needed.
IV (Adults and Children ≥13 yr and ≥50 kg): 1000 mg every 6 hr or 650 mg every 4 hr (not to exceed 1000 mg/dose, 4 g/day [by all routes], and less than 4 hr dosing interval).
IV (Adults and Children ≥13 yr and <50 kg): 15 mg/kg every 6 hr or 12.5 mg/kg every 4 hr (not to exceed 15 mg/kg/dose [up to 750 mg/dose], 75 mg/kg/day [up to 3750 mg/day] [by all routes], and less than 4 hr dosing interval).
IV (Children 2–12 yr): 15 mg/kg every 6 hr or 12.5 mg/kg every 4 hr (not to exceed 15 mg/kg/dose [up to 750 mg/dose], 75 mg/kg/day [up to 3750 mg/day] [by all routes], and less than 4 hr dosing interval).
IV (Infants 29 days–2 yr): 15 mg/kg every 6 hr (not to exceed 60 mg/kg/day [by all routes]).
IV (Neonates Birth–28 days): 12.5 mg/kg every 6 hr (not to exceed 50 mg/kg [by all routes]).
(Adults and Children >12 yr): 325–650 mg every 4–6 hr as needed or 1 g 3–4 times/day (not to exceed 4 g/24 hr).
(Children 1–12 yr): 10–20 mg/kg/dose every 4–6 hr as needed.
(Infants ): 10–20 mg/kg/dose every 4–6 hr as needed.
(Neonates ): 10–15 mg/kg/dose every 6–8 hr as needed.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

(Generic available)

Chewable tablets fruit, bubblegum, or grape flavor: 80 mg^OTC; 160 mg^OTC
Tablets: 160 mg^OTC; 325 mg^OTC
Caplets: 325 mg^OTC
Solution berry, fruit, and grape flavor: 100 mg/mL^OTC
Liquid mint: 160 mg/5 mL^OTC
Elixir grape and cherry flavor: 160 mg/5 mL^OTC
Drops: 160 mg/ 5 mL ^OTC
Suspension: 100 mg/mL^OTC; 160 mg/5 mL^OTC
Syrup: 160 mg/5 mL^OTC
Suppositories: 80 mg^OTC; 120 mg^OTC; 325 mg^OTC
Solution for injection: 10 mg/mL
In combination with: many other medications. See Appendix [not included in this PDA edition].

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Assess overall health status and alcohol usage before administering acetaminophen. Patients who are malnourished or chronically abuse alcohol are at higher risk of developing hepatotoxicity with chronic use of usual doses of this drug.
- Assess amount, frequency, and type of drugs taken in patients self-medicating, especially with OTC drugs. Prolonged use of acetaminophen increases risk of adverse hepatic and renal effects. For short-term use, combined doses of acetaminophen and salicylates should not exceed the recommended dose of either drug given alone. Do not exceed maximum daily dose of acetaminophen when considering all routes of administration and all combination products containing acetaminophen.
Assess for rash periodically during therapy. May cause SJS. Discontinue therapy if rash (reddening of skin, blisters, and detachment of upper surface of skin peeling) or if accompanied with fever, general malaise, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, hepatitis, and/or eosinophilia.
Pain: Assess type, location, and intensity prior to and 30–60 min following administration.
Fever: Assess fever; note presence of associated signs (diaphoresis, tachycardia, and malaise).

Lab Test Considerations:

Evaluate hepatic, hematologic, and renal function periodically during prolonged high-dose therapy.
- May alter results of blood glucose monitoring. May cause falsely ↓ values when measured with glucose oxidase/peroxidase method, but probably not with hexokinase/G6PD method. May also cause falsely ↑ values with certain instruments; see manufacturer’s instruction manual.
- ↑serum bilirubin, LDH, AST, ALT, and prothrombin time may indicate hepatotoxicity.

Toxicity and Overdose:

If overdose occurs, N-acetylcysteine is the antidote.

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

Do not confuse Tylenol with Tylenol PM. Do not confuse acetaminophen with acetazolamide.
To prevent fatal medication errors, ensure dose in milligrams (mg) and milliliters (mL) is not confused, dosing is based on weight for patients under 50 kg, program infusion pump for accuracy, and total daily dose of acetaminophen from all sources does not exceed maximum daily limits.
When combined with opioids, do not exceed the maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen.
PO: Administer with a full glass of water.
- May be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

IV Administration:

Intermittent Infusion: For 1000 mg dose, insert vented IV set through septum of 100 mL vial; may be administered without further dilution. For doses <1000 mg, withdraw appropriate dose from vial and place in a separate empty, sterile container for IV infusion. Place small volume pediatric doses up to 60 mL in a syringe and administer via syringe pump. Solution is clear and colorless; do not administer solutions that are discolored or contain particulate matter. Administer within 6 hr of breaking vial seal.
Rate: Infuse over 15 min. Monitor end of infusion in order to prevent air embolism, especially if acetaminophen is primary infusion.

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Advise patient to take medication exactly as directed and not to take more than the recommended amount. Chronic excessive use of >4 g/day (2 g in chronic alcoholics) may lead to hepatotoxicity, renal, or cardiac damage. Adults should not take acetaminophen longer than 10 days and children not longer than 5 days unless directed by health care professional. Short-term doses of acetaminophen with salicylates or NSAIDs should not exceed recommended daily dose of either drug alone.
Advise patient to avoid alcohol (3 or more glasses per day increase the risk of liver damage) if taking more than an occasional 1–2 doses and to avoid taking concurrently with salicylates or NSAIDs for more than a few days, unless directed by health care professional.
Advise patient to discontinue acetaminophen and notify health care professional if rash occurs
Inform patients with diabetes that acetaminophen may alter results of blood glucose monitoring. Advise patient to notify health care professional if changes are noted.
Caution patient to check labels on all OTC products. Advise patients to avoid taking more than one product containing acetaminophen at a time to prevent toxicity.
Advise patient to consult health care professional if discomfort or fever is not relieved by routine doses of this drug or if fever is greater than 39.5°C (103°F) or lasts longer than 3 days.
Pedi: Advise parents or caregivers to check concentrations of liquid preparations. All OTC single ingredient acetaminophen liquid products now come in a single concentration of 160 mg/5 mL. Errors have resulted in serious liver damage. Have parents or caregivers determine the correct formulation and dose for their child (based on the child's age/weight), and demonstrate how to measure it using an appropriate measuring device.

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Pronunciation ⬇

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Indications ⬆ ⬇

Action ⬆ ⬇

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇