Nursing Teaching on Side Effects of Acetaminophen Use

 Nurse educated the patient and caregiver on the side effects of using Acetaminophen as follows:

  1. Nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth
  • These are some of the most common side effects of Acetaminophen.
  • Taking Acetaminophen with some food can minimize the effects of nausea and vomiting.
  • Liberal intake of water and sucking on a hard candy can help preventing a dry mouth.
  1. Dizziness
  • Acetaminophen can produce mild drowsiness and dizziness, as a side effect in some individuals.
  • Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how Acetaminophen affects you.
  1. Anaphylaxis
  • A rare, but serious anaphylactic response can occur for Acetaminophen.
  • Patients can present with extreme itching and rash, swelling of the face and throat, dizziness, bronchoconstriction, and difficulty breathing.
  • This is an emergency and medical attention should be sought immediately, without any delay.
  1. Hepatic damage
  • Acetaminophen intake can lead to hepatic injury, thus compromising liver function.
  • Hepatic injury and altered liver function can result in increased bilirubin levels in the body, resulting in itching, jaundice with yellowing of skin and sclera, dark urine, altered metabolism with nausea and vomiting, pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant, and fatigue.
  1. Skin rash
  • Acetaminophen intake can result in mild skin rash and dermatitis.