Acetaminophen 10mg/ml Inj, 100ml
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
If you need to store this medication at home, consult with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to determine the proper storage procedure.
In the event that you miss a dose, contact your doctor promptly to receive guidance on the appropriate course of action.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Avoid drinking alcohol while receiving this medication, especially if you drink heavily, as it can increase the risk of liver damage.
- Inform your healthcare provider about all other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins, to prevent accidental overdose or harmful interactions.
- Do not take other acetaminophen-containing products (e.g., Tylenol, cold/flu medications) without consulting your doctor, as this can lead to accidental overdose.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
- Acetaminophen 120mg Suppositories
- Acetaminophen 650mg Suppositories
- Acetaminophen 500mg Tablets
- Acetaminophen Child 160mg/5ml Susp
- Acetaminophen 500mg X/s Tablets
- Acetaminophen 500mg E/s Caplets
- Acetaminophen 160mg/5ml Solution
- Acetaminophen 325mg Tablets
- Acetaminophen 10mg/ml Inj, 100ml
- Acetaminophen 160mg/5ml Liquid
- Acetaminophen 500mg E/s Tablets
- Acetaminophen Child 160mg/5ml Susp
- Acetaminophen Infant 160mg/5ml Susp
- Acetaminophen 650mg ER Tablets
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
BLACK BOX WARNING
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention right away:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever)
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Rarely, allergic reactions can be life-threatening.
Signs of liver problems, including:
+ Dark urine
+ Tiredness
+ Decreased appetite
+ Upset stomach or stomach pain
+ Light-colored stools
+ Vomiting
+ Yellow skin or eyes
Difficulty urinating or changes in urine output
A severe skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may occur, which can cause severe health problems that may not go away and can be fatal. Seek medical help immediately if you experience:
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever)
+ Red or irritated eyes
+ Sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones. If you are bothered by any of the following side effects or if they do not go away, contact your doctor or seek medical attention:
Upset stomach or vomiting
Trouble sleeping
Headache
* Constipation
This is not an exhaustive list of all possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Signs of liver damage: yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, severe nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, pain in the upper right side of the stomach.
- Signs of allergic reaction: rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Signs of severe skin reactions: skin redness, rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis).
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced as a result of the allergy.
If you have liver disease, as this may affect your ability to take this medication.
This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications (including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins) and health conditions with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help determine whether it is safe to take this medication in conjunction with your other medications and health issues.
Remember, do not start, stop, or modify the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor to ensure your safety.
Precautions & Cautions
When taking this drug, be cautious not to take other products that contain acetaminophen, as this can lead to excessive intake. Carefully check the labels of all medications and supplements to avoid accidental overdose. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage.
To ensure safe use, follow the dosage instructions precisely. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose of acetaminophen. If you are unsure about the maximum daily dose, consult your doctor or pharmacist. While some individuals may be advised by their doctor to take up to 4,000 milligrams (mg) per day, others, such as those with liver problems or children, may require lower doses. If you suspect you have taken too much acetaminophen in a day, contact your doctor immediately, even if you feel well.
Before consuming alcohol, discuss the potential risks with your doctor. Additionally, this medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests, so it is crucial to inform all your healthcare providers and laboratory personnel that you are taking this drug.
When administering this medication to children, note that different brands may have varying dosage recommendations. Always consult with your child's doctor before giving them this medication.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, it is essential to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication with your doctor to make an informed decision about its use.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Early symptoms (within 24 hours): nausea, vomiting, sweating, general malaise, abdominal pain.
- Later symptoms (24-72 hours): right upper quadrant pain, elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST), prolonged prothrombin time (INR), jaundice, oliguria.
- Severe overdose (after 72 hours): hepatic encephalopathy, coma, coagulopathy, renal failure, cardiomyopathy, metabolic acidosis, death.
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222). Treatment may include activated charcoal (if oral ingestion), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administered intravenously or orally, and supportive care.
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
- Alcohol (chronic heavy use): Increased risk of hepatotoxicity.
- Warfarin: Increased INR and bleeding risk (especially with chronic use of high doses of acetaminophen).
Moderate Interactions
- Other hepatotoxic drugs (e.g., isoniazid, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampin): Increased risk of hepatotoxicity.
- Cholestyramine: May decrease acetaminophen absorption (oral form, less relevant for IV).
- Lamotrigine: May decrease lamotrigine serum concentrations.
- Zidovudine: May increase zidovudine levels and toxicity.
Minor Interactions
- Probenecid: May decrease acetaminophen clearance.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To assess baseline hepatic function, especially in patients with pre-existing liver disease or risk factors for hepatotoxicity.
Timing: Prior to initiation in at-risk patients.
Rationale: To guide dosing adjustments in patients with renal impairment.
Timing: Prior to initiation in at-risk patients.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Regularly, as clinically indicated (e.g., every 2-4 hours initially, then as needed)
Target: Patient-specific pain goal (e.g., NRS < 4), temperature < 38°C
Action Threshold: Pain/fever not controlled, consider alternative or adjunctive therapy.
Frequency: Not routinely recommended for short-term use in healthy individuals. Consider for prolonged use (>5 days), high doses, or in patients with underlying liver disease or risk factors.
Target: Within normal limits
Action Threshold: Significant elevation (e.g., >3x ULN), consider discontinuation or dose reduction, investigate cause.
Frequency: More frequently, especially when initiating or discontinuing acetaminophen.
Target: Therapeutic range for warfarin (e.g., 2.0-3.0)
Action Threshold: INR outside target range, adjust warfarin dose.
Symptom Monitoring
- Signs and symptoms of liver injury (e.g., nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice, fatigue)
- Signs of allergic reaction (e.g., rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing)
- Signs of severe skin reactions (e.g., blistering, peeling skin, widespread rash)
- Signs of bleeding (in patients on warfarin)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Acetaminophen is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy when used at recommended doses. It is often the analgesic/antipyretic of choice. However, use should be based on clinical need and at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Acetaminophen is considered compatible with breastfeeding. It is excreted into breast milk in small amounts, but adverse effects on breastfed infants are not expected when used at therapeutic doses. It is rated L1 (safest) by Hale's Lactation Risk Category.
Pediatric Use
Dosing is weight-based and age-specific. Extreme caution is required to avoid dosing errors, especially in neonates and infants, due to the risk of severe hepatotoxicity. Ensure correct concentration and volume are administered. Not recommended for neonates <2 kg or <32 weeks gestational age.
Geriatric Use
No specific dose adjustment is generally required based on age alone, but elderly patients may have reduced renal or hepatic function, necessitating dose adjustments as per renal/hepatic impairment guidelines. Monitor for adverse effects and drug interactions due to polypharmacy.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- IV acetaminophen (Ofirmev) is often used in the perioperative setting for multimodal analgesia, reducing opioid requirements and opioid-related side effects.
- Ensure accurate patient weight for dosing, especially in pediatric patients, to prevent accidental overdose.
- Verify the concentration (10 mg/mL) and total volume to be administered to avoid medication errors.
- Do not administer as a bolus; infuse over 15 minutes.
- The maximum daily dose of acetaminophen from all sources (oral, IV, rectal) should not exceed 4000 mg in adults and 75 mg/kg (max 4000 mg) in pediatric patients.
- Patients with chronic alcohol use or pre-existing liver disease are at higher risk for hepatotoxicity and may require lower maximum daily doses (e.g., 2000-3000 mg/day).
Alternative Therapies
- NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, ketorolac, celecoxib) for pain and fever (consider contraindications like renal impairment, GI bleeding risk).
- Opioids (e.g., morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl) for moderate to severe pain (higher risk of side effects, dependence).
- Local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine, bupivacaine) for localized pain control.
- Non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., ice/heat, physical therapy, massage, distraction).