Patient was educated on Acetaminophen and its mechanism of action as follows:
- Acetaminophen is an OTC pain medication that is used for mild to moderate pain relief, such as, toothaches and muscle pains due to flu.
- Acetaminophen also helps with reducing the fever.
- The mechanism of action of Acetaminophen is unclear and so, Acetaminophen is a pain medication that does not belong to either NSAID or opioid pain medication groups.
- Inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzyme, COX-2, is considered to be the main mechanism of action of Acetaminophen, which could reduce prostaglandin synthesis, thus contributing to reducing pain and swelling of the tissues.
- Acetaminophen often is combined with opioid pain medications, such as, Hydrocodone and Codeine, as reduces the fever and potentiates the action of opioid pain medications.
