Acetaminophen
(Redirected from APAP)
General
- Type: Antipyretic
- Dosage Forms: IV; PO; PR
- Common Trade Names: Tylenol, Paracetamol, Acephen
Adult Dosing
General
- PO
- Immediate-release
- Regular strength: 650mg q4-6 hours
- Extra strength: 1000mg q6 hours
- Extended-release: 1300mg q8 hours
- Immediate-release
- Rectal: 650mg q4-6 hours
- IV:
- <50 kg: 15mg/kg q6 hours or 12.5mg/kg q4 hours
- ≥50 kg: 650mg q4 hours or 1000mg q6 hours
- Maximum daily dose: 4g
Pediatric Dosing
- 15mg/kg/dose q6 hours
Acetaminophen Pediatric Dosing Chart
Weight (kg) | Weight (lbs) | Age | Dosage (mg) |
3-4 | 6-11 | 0-3 mo | 40 |
5-7 | 12-17 | 4-11 mo | 80 |
8-10 | 18-23 | 1-2 y | 120 |
11-15 | 24-35 | 2-3 y | 160 |
16-21 | 36-47 | 4-5 y | 240 |
22-26 | 48-59 | 6-8 y | 320 |
27-32 | 60-71 | 9-10 y | 400 |
33-43 | 72-95 | 11 y | 480 |
- Dosage can be given q6 hours
Special Populations
- Pregnancy Rating: B
- Lactation Risk Categories: safe
- Renal Dosing
- Adult: CrCl 10-50: give q6h, CrCl <10: give q8h
- Pediatric: CrCl 10-50: give q6h, CrCl <10: give q8h
- Hepatic Dosing
- Adult: not defined
- Pediatric: not defined
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
Adverse Reactions
Serious
Common
Warnings
- When calculating maximum daily dose consider all sources of acetaminophen
- Be careful that the dose in milligrams and milliliters is not confused
Pharmacology
- Half-life: 2-4 hour
- Metabolism: Liver
- Excretion: urine
- Mechanism of Action: antipyretic effect via direct action on the hypothalamic heat-regulating center
See Also
References
- Acephen (acetaminophen suppositories) [prescribing information]. South Plainfield, NJ: G&W Laboratories; April 2014.