Published on: 9/30/2024
While general dosing guidelines are on packaging, it is important to remember that dosing varies on weight, indication and other underlying diseases.
The amount of acetaminophen to be taken at one time varies depending on the amount of active ingredient per form of the medication (ie: pill, liquid, suppository), patient’s physique, weight and indication for usage. For example, pediatric weight-based dosing (ie: milligrams per kilogram) is typically done for those youth less than 40kg and up to to 18 years of age unless the weight-based dosing exceeds the adult dose. Dosing for acetaminophen can also vary based on what it is being used to treat - for example, migraines may require higher more consistent dosing than treatment of a fever. Lastly, each person responds to medications differently or may have an underlying condition that can effect metabolism of the medication. Acetaminophen is processed by the liver and can be toxic to the liver at elevated doses for people who have liver disease. Therefore, it is critical to follow package instructions and if any questions or concerns, to consult with a health care provider to clarify a safe plan for taking the medication.
(References)
Ameer B, Greenblatt DJ. Acetaminophen. Ann Intern Med. 1977 Aug;87(2):2029. doi: 10.7326/00034819872202. PMID: 329728.
Ayoub SS. Paracetamol (acetaminophen): A familiar drug with an unexplained mechanism of action. Temperature (Austin). 2021 Mar 16;8(4):351371. doi: 10.1080/23328940.2021.1886392. PMID: 34901318; PMCID: PMC8654482.
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