Drug Name Mode of Action Indications/ Adverse effects Nursing considerations

Contraindications
acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-  Antipyretic: Reduces fever Indications:  CNS: Headache Before
aminophenol) by acting directly on the -Analgesic-antipyretic in  History: Allergy to
hypothalamic heat-regulating patients with aspirin allergy,  CV: Chest pain, dyspnea, acetaminophen, impaired
Suppositories: Abenol (CAN), center to cause vasodilation hemostatic disturbances, myocardial damage when hepatic function, chronic
Acephen and sweating, which helps bleeding diatheses, upper GI doses of 5–8 g/day are alcoholism, pregnancy,
dissipate heat. disease, gouty arthritis ingested daily for several lactation
Oral: Aceta, Apacet, Atasol weeks or when doses of 4  Physical: Skin color, lesions;
(CAN), Genapap, Genebs,  Analgesic: Site and - Arthritis and rheumatic g/day are ingested for 1 yr T; liver evaluation; CBC,
Liquiprin, Mapap, Panadol, mechanism of action disorders involving LFTs, renal function tests
Tapanol, Tempra,            unclear. musculoskeletal pain (but  GI: Hepatic toxicity and
Tylenol lacks clinically significant failure, jaundice During
antirheumatic and anti-  Do not exceed the
Pregnancy Category B inflammatory effects)  GU: Acute kidney failure, recommended dosage.
renal tubular necrosis  Consult physician if needed
Drug classes -Common cold, flu, other viral for children < 3 yr; if needed
 Hematologic:
 Antipyretic and bacterial infections with for longer than 10 days; if
Methemoglobinemia—
 Analgesic (nonopioid) pain and fever continued fever, severe or
cyanosis; hemolytic anemia
recurrent pain occurs
—hematuria, anuria;
Dosages -Unlabeled use: Prophylactic (possible serious illness).
neutropenia, leukopenia,
for children receiving DPT  Avoid using multiple
pancytopenia,
vaccination to reduce preparations containing
ADULTS thrombocytopenia,
incidence of fever and pain. acetaminophen. Carefully
hypoglycemia
check all OTC products.
• PO or PR After
Contraindication:  Hypersensitivity:
Rash, fever  Do not exceed
• By suppository, 325– recommended dose; do not
650 mg q 4–6 hr or PO, 1,000 •Contraindicated with allergy take for longer than 10 days.
mg tid to qid. Do not exceed 4 to acetaminophen.  Take the drug only for
g/day. complaints indicated; it is not
•Use cautiously with impaired an anti-inflammatory agent.
hepatic function, chronic  Avoid the use of other over-
alcoholism, pregnancy, the-counter preparations.
lactation. They may contain
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
acetaminophen, and serious
overdosage can occur. If you
• PO or PR
need an over-the-counter
preparation, consult your
• Doses may be health care provider.
repeated 4–5 times/day; do
not exceed five doses in 24
hr; give PO or by suppository.
Age Dose (mg)

0–3 40

4–11 80

12–23 120

2–3 yr 160

4–5 yr 240

6–8 yr 320

9–10yr 400

11 yr 480