Question

what are the dosing instuctions on extra- strength acetaminophen

Answer 1

Acetaminophen is used as an analgesics and as an antipyretics.

It educes fever by acting directly on the hypothalamic heat-regulating center(reduce production of prostaglandins) and analgesic effect may be related to an elevation of the pain threshold.

Instuctions on extra- strength acetaminophen

1.Avoid over the counter medication strictly, and do not take more than the prescribed dosage.

Adults should not take more than 3,000 mg of single-ingredient acetaminophen a day. Adults can take a maximum of 4 doses or up to eight 500mg tablets in total in 24 hours. Wait at least 4 hours between doses.

2. If the client is a chronic alcoholic, insruct him not to take acetaminophen.

3. Chronic daily dosing may result in liver damage in some patients.

Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment or active liver disease.

4. Use with caution in patients with chronic malnutrition.

Malnutrition result in reduction of hepatic levels of glutathione, required for inactivation of N ‐acetyl‐p ‐benzoquinonimine, the toxic metabolite of paracetamol.

5. Use with caution if client has Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

6. Make sure that the client is not taking any other medication containing acetaminophen. Before taking any other medicines instruct the client to check the label to see whether they contain paracetamol.

7. Use with caution in patients with renal impairments.

8. Keep the drug away from children.

9. In pregnancy and breast feeding take the drugs according to doctors prescription.

10. Advise patient to consult doctor if discomfort or fever is not relieved by routine doses of this drug or if fever is greater than 39.5C (103F) or lasts longer than 3 days.

11. Advise patient to discontinue acetaminophen and notify health care pro-
fessional if rash occurs.
12. Inform patients with diabetes that acetaminophen may alter results of blood glu-
cose monitoring. Ask the client to inform if such changes identified.