Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is a non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic that relieves pain and reduces fever without the anti-inflammatory or bleeding effects of NSAIDs. The maximum is 4 g/day for healthy adults and less with liver disease or chronic alcohol use, because the danger of acetaminophen is dose-dependent hepatotoxicity; the overdose antidote is acetylcysteine. It is hidden in many combination cold, flu, and prescription opioid products, so teach clients to read labels and avoid accidental double-dosing.