ACETAMINOPHEN
Patient Counselling
Intended Benefit: To relieve pain of tension-type headaches.
Dosage:
Adults: Acetaminophen 1000mg q4h x 2 doses prn
Maximum: Do not exceed 4 grams per day [extra strength (500mg)
tablets].
Pediatrics: Acetaminophen 10-15mg/kg/dose q4h x 2 prn
Maximum:75mg/kg/day for infants, and lesser of 100mg/kg/day or 4000mg/day in children.
Administration: Take with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs when taking the
medication, take with food.
When taking acetaminophen for your TTH, it is important to avoid drinking alcohol.
The combination of acetaminophen and alcohol together than be harmful for the
liver. Also, be cautious if you are taking any other combination products, be
sure to read the label for acetaminophen, and do not take more than 4
grams within 24 hours. Chronic high doses can cause liver toxicity.
Some possible common side effects while taking acetaminophen can include:
- Pruritus
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
If any of the following side effects occur, contact your doctor:
- Allergic reaction (swelling, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, etc)
- Dark tarry stools or the presence of blood
- Urine that appears dark
- Any abnormal bleeding or bruising
- Yellow skin or eyes
If you are taking warfarin, be cautious for signs and symptoms of bleeding, have your INR checked.
Pregnancy: Acetaminophen is relatively safe during all trimesters.
References
Lexicomp Online. Acetaminophen [Internet]. 2011 [updated 2012 Mar 08; cited 2012 Mar 08]. Available from: http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/6264
Micromedex. Acetaminophen [Internet]. 2011 [cited 2012 Mar 08]. Available from: http://www.thomsonhc.com/micromedex2/librarian/ND_T/evidencexpert/ND_PR/evidencexpert/CS/828141/ND_AppProduct/evidencexpert/DUPLICATIONSHIELDSYNC/26CD1E/ND_PG/evidencexpert/ND_B/evidencexpert/ND_P/evidencexpert/PFActionId/evidencexpert.IntermediateToFullDocumentLink/docId/0227/contentSetId/31/title/ACETAMINOPHEN/servicesTitle/ACETAMINOPHEN
Worthington I. Headache. In: Patient self-care: helping your patients make therapeutic choices. 2nd ed. Ottawa: Canadian Pharmacists
Association, 2010; p. 65-79.