Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). However, its effectiveness alone as an antipyretic has been questioned. It is commonly used for the relief of headaches, and other minor aches and pains, and is a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu remedies. In combination with opioid analgesics, paracetamol could be used also in the management of more severe pain (such as in advanced cancer).

While generally safe for human use at recommended doses (1,000 mg per single dose and up to 4,000 mg per day for adults, up to 2,000 mg per day if drinking alcohol), acute overdoses of paracetamol can cause potentially fatal liver damage and, in rare individuals, a normal dose can do the same; the risk is heightened by alcohol consumption. Paracetamol toxicity is the foremost cause of acute liver failure in the Western world, and accounts for most drug overdoses in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Acetaminophen is one of the most widely used and prescribed medications available. Although it is commonly taken on its own – in both over-the-counter and prescription formulations – to relieve pain and reduce fever, it is also included as an active ingredient in many other medications and drugs. It is extremely important to be aware of the cumulative amount of acetaminophen you are ingesting as it may be extremely dangerous, and possibly fatal, to take too much.

If you are taking any medications with acetaminophen included in them, you must add up all of the acetaminophen you are ingesting daily (from each product) and make certain it is not over the recommended amount (no more than four grams or 4000 mg for adults during a 24-hour period). Most health care providers recommend you do not take more than two products containing acetaminophen at a time.

What is Acetaminophen Used to Treat?

Acetaminophen can provide relief for mild to moderate pain caused by a number of different conditions:

•Arthritis
•Backache
•Cold
•Fever
•Headache
•Menstrual periods
•Muscle aches
•Osteoarthritis
•Reactions to vaccinations
•Sore throats
•Toothache
What Drugs Contain Acetaminophen?

In addition to being the active ingredient in Tylenol, acetaminophen can be found in a large number of medications used to treat pain, colds and sinus conditions.

Many opioid medications contain acetaminophen. These combination drugs are only available by prescription. When your doctor writes a prescription, the pharmacist may label the bottle with the initials APAP, meaning that the product contains acetaminophen. On the lower part of the prescription will be two numbers separated by a slanted line. The second number (e.g., 325 or 500) refers to the amount of acetaminophen per tablet or capsule. Your doctor and/or pharmacist may or may not explain to you when the prescription is given how much acetaminophen you are being given per dose. It is up to you to calculate that and add it to any over-the-counter preparations you may be taking at the same time that contain acetaminophen.

Although this is not a complete list, acetaminophen is an active ingredient in the following medications: