All about the pain reliever medication – Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is part of a category of drugs labeled analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers). The actual system of action of acetaminophen isn’t identified. Acetaminophen reduces pain by elevating the pain tolerance, that is, by needing a greater amount of ache to build up before a person feels it. It cuts down on fever as a result of its actions on the heat-regulating center of the brain. Particularly, it tells the center to lower the body’s temperature once the temperature is increased. The FDA accepted acetaminophen in 1951.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Acetaminophen is used for the relief of fever as well as aches and pains associated with many problems. Acetaminophen minimizes discomfort in moderate arthritis but has no influence on the fundamental inflammation, redness, and bloating of the joint. If the pain isn’t due to inflammation, acetaminophen is as powerful as aspirin. It’s as effective as the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug ibuprofen (Motrin) in minimizing the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee. Unless directed by a physician, acetaminophen really should not be used for longer than 10 days.
DOSING: The oral dose for grown ups is 325 to 650 mg just about every 4 to 6 hours. The maximum regular dosage is 4 grams. The oral dose for a kid is based on the youngster’s age, and the spectrum is 40-650 mg every 4 hours.
When administered as a suppository, the grownup dose is 650 mg every 4 to 6 hrs. For children, the dosage is 80-325 mg just about every 4 to 6 hours dependant upon age.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Acetaminophen is digested (removed by conversion to some other chemicals) by the liver. Consequently medicines that increase the actions of liver enzymes that metabolize acetaminophen [for example, carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid, Laniazid), rifampin (Rifamate, Rifadin, Rimactane)] decrease the levels of acetaminophen and may even reduce the actions of acetaminophen. Doses of acetaminophen more than the recommended doses are poisonous to the liver and could lead to severe liver damage. The potential for acetaminophen to harm the liver is improved when it’s along with alcohol or drugs that also harm the liver.
Cholestyramine (Questran) decreases the impact of acetaminophen by decreasing its intake into the body from the intestine. Therefore, acetaminophen needs to be administered 3 to 4 hrs after cholestyramine or one hour before cholestyramine .
Acetaminophen dosages greater than 2275 mg per day could raise the blood thinning result of warfarin (Coumadin) by an unknown mechanism. Therefore, long term management or huge dosages of acetaminophen ought to be avoided during warfarin therapy.
PREGNANCY: Acetaminophen is used in all levels of pregnancy and is the drug of preference for short-term management of fever and minor pain during pregnancy.
NURSING MOTHERS: Acetaminophen is excreted in breast milk in tiny amounts. However, acetaminophen use by the nursing mother seems to be safe.
SIDE EFFECTS: When used correctly, side effects with acetaminophen are rare. Probably the most significant side-effect is liver damage as a result of large doses, chronic use or concomitant use with alcohol or any other drugs which harm the liver. Long-term alcohol use could also increase the risk of abdomen bleeding.
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