Details

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Acetaminophen is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers. Acetaminophen may also be used to treat mild to moderate pain associated with menstrual periods, toothaches, backaches or osteoarthritis.

Typical Uses

Acetaminophen comes as a tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, suspension or solution (liquid), extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and orally disintegrating tablet (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth), to take by mouth, with or without food. Acetaminophen also comes as a suppository to use rectally. Acetaminophen is available without a prescription, but your doctor may prescribe acetaminophen to treat certain conditions. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part you do not understand.

Side Effects

Acetaminophen may cause side effects such as red, peeling or blistering skin, rash, hives, itching, Inflammation of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, hoarseness, difficulty breathing or swallowing. Acetaminophen can also lead to drowsiness, impairment of mental and physical performance, anxiety, psychic dependence, constipation, urinary retention, bradycardia and circulatory collapse, hearing impairment or permanent loss of hearing, etc.

Drug Interactions

• Acetaminophen+sodium nitrite- When use of sodium nitrite is required, the doctor should be told if you have been receiving treatment with acetaminophen. Sodium nitrite can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia that reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood to different organs, and combining the medication with acetaminophen may increase the risk.

• Acetaminophen+prilocaine- Prilocaine can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia that reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood to different organs, and combining the medication with acetaminophen may increase the risk.

• Acetaminophen+ethanol- Ask your doctor before using acetaminophen together with ethanol. This can cause serious side effects that affect your liver. Call your doctor immediately if you experience a fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, excessive tiredness or weakness, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash or itching, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes.

• Acetaminophen+Leflunomide- Leflunomide may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as acetaminophen may increase that risk.

• Acetaminophen+Teriflunomide- Teriflunomide may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as acetaminophen may increase that risk.

Mechanism of action

Acetaminophen exhibits analgesic action by peripheral blockage of pain impulse generation. It produces antipyresis by inhibiting the hypothalamic heat-regulating centre. Its weak anti-inflammatory activity is related to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the CNS.

Pregnancy Category : C