Proper Acetaminophen Use: Resources & Handouts
You may know that more than 600 medicines contain acetaminophen. But do your patients?
McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. sponsors and supports several programs that make it easier for you and your practice to educate your patients about appropriate acetaminophen use. To help patients understand the importance of this issue, we suggest these core counseling strategies:
Teach patients why it’s important
Some people accidentally exceed the recommended dose when taking multiple acetaminophen-containing products at the same time, often without realizing they contain acetaminophen or by not reading and following the dosage directions. Taking more than directed (overdose) may cause liver damage.
Remind patients
Always read and follow the label.
Never exceed the recommended dose.
Never take more than one acetaminophen-containing medication at the same time.
Reassure patients
TYLENOL® (acetaminophen) is an excellent first-line analgesic for many of your patients. When used as directed, TYLENOL® provides both analgesic efficacy and an exceptional safety profile.
Counseling Patients onProper Acetaminophen Use
What patients need to know about appropriate acetaminophen use.
Get Relief Responsibly® Program provides resources you can use with your patients:
Acetaminophen-Containing
Medicines List
Common OTC and Rx medications containing acetaminophen. Useful for staff and patients alike.
Understanding
Acetaminophen
Tips handout for identifying and using acetaminophen-containing products properly.
How to Read a
Drug Facts Label
Handout identifies and explains key sections of an OTC package label.
Acetaminophen Medication Search Tool
Tells patients if their medications contain acetaminophen. Website for patients includes FAQs, videos, and more. Visit GetReliefResponsibly.com
Other Programs and Resources
The Know Your Dose campaign educates patients and consumers about the safe and effective use of acetaminophen. The campaign is organized by the Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition, a group of consumer, health, and healthcare provider organizations.
Resources available: The site offers consumers information such as how to read medicine labels, pediatric dosing charts, and a list of common medicines that contain acetaminophen.
- Order free educational materials
View and play the interactive game for patients, Acetaminophen in the Game of Life
- Visit KnowYourDose.org
Report on Acetaminophen:
An Interdisciplinary Look at Labeling Changes for Acetaminophen and the Implications for Patient Care
Presents research findings on providers’ awareness of acetaminophen proper use issues and discusses steps clinicians can take when educating patients about labeling changes. Includes brief self-assessment of baseline acetaminophen knowledge, insights on elderly medication use, links to patient resources, and more. Part of GSA’s From Publication to Practice series.
Newsletter on Pain Management for Older Adults
Features highlights of presentations from GSA’s 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting. Addresses strategies for managing pain and preserving function in older adults and for assessing and managing pain for residents in long-term care facilities, including those who have dementia. Part of GSA’s What’s Hot newsletter series.
Acetaminophen Safe Use
Aims to raise awareness within distinct populations about acetaminophen safety. NCPIE’s presentation kits integrate tailored messaging, free downloads, handouts, and useful links to other acetaminophen-related information.
Read a press release about these tailored programs.
Or learn more at the NCPIE site: