Acetaminophen

Mechanism of Action: Acts on hypothalamus to produce antipyresis. May work peripherally to block pain impulse generation; may also inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in CNS.

Therapeutic Class: non-opioid analgesic, antipyretic

Used:

• Pain relief
• Reduce fever
• Headache
• Arthralgia

Contraindications: pregnancy, breastfeeding, geriatric patient, anemia, hepatic or renal disease, hepatotoxicity, chronic alcoholism

Side Effects: anxiety, headache, dyspnea, hypertension or hypotension, hepatotoxicity, nausea, vomiting, hepatotoxicity, hepatic seizure, GI bleeding, renal failure, leukopenia, neutropenia, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, rash, urticaria, stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, cyanosis, anemia, neutropenia, jaundice, pancytopenia, CNS stimulation, delirium followed by vascular collapse, seizures, coma, death