Acetaminophen Drug Study

In making a Drug Study, the following elements must be present: Generic Name and the Brand name (not all brands, just the brand used by the patient), Action, Indication, Pregnancy Category, Drug Classification, and Contraindication, Adverse Effect, Drug interaction and Nursing Consideration/Intervention…. Most clinical instructors preferred this to be in a long bond paper in printed or handwritten with paper in landscape.

Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol)


Brand Names:

Suppositories:Abenol (CAN), Acephen, Children's Feverall
Oral: Aceta, Apacet, Atasol (CAN), Genapap, Genebs, Liquiprin, Mapap, Panadol, Tapanol, Tempra, Tylenol

Pregnancy Category B

Drug classes: Antipyretic, Analgesic (non-narcotic)


Therapeutic actions

As an antipyretic, acetaminophen reduces fever by acting directly on the hypothalamic heat-regulating center to cause vasodilation and sweating, which helps dissipate heat
As an analgesic, the site and mechanism of action unclear.


Indications

Fever and Pain


Contraindications:

Not for patients with hypersensitivity to acetaminophen, it should be used with caution with impaired hepatic function, chronic alcoholism, pregnancy, lactation.


Adverse effects

Headache, Chest pain, dyspnea, myocardial damage, Hepatic toxicity and failure, jaundice, Acute kidney failure, renal tubular necrosis, Methemoglobinemia--cyanosis; hemolytic anemia--hematuria, anuria; neutropenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycemia, Hypersensitivity such as Rash and fever.


Drug Interactions:

• Increased toxicity with long-term, excessive ethanol ingestion
• Increased hypoprothrombinemic effect of oral anticoagulants
• Increased risk of hepatotoxicity and possible decreased therapeutic effects with barbiturates, carbamazepine, hydantoins, rifampin, sulfinpyrazone
• Possible delayed or decreased effectiveness with anticholinergics
• Possible reduced absorption of acetaminophen with activated charcoal
• Possible decreased effectiveness of zidovudine


Nursing considerations

• 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 is noted.
• Discontinue drug if hypersensitivity reactions occur.
• Treatment of overdose: Monitor serum levels regularly, N-acetylcysteine should be available as a specific antidote; basic life support measures may be necessary.