pharmacology - toxicity
TRANSCRIPT
Daniel
le Ham
mon, A
ya Call
on, C
hristi C
harles
, Mari
a Goo
dwin
Toxicity is the effect that occurs when too much of a drug accumulates in the bloodstream.
This could be due to either overdose or the inability of the kidney or liver to break down the drug.
The degree of harmful effects varies depending on the drug and the dose, but they can be life-threatening.
When the blood plasma level of the drug is below the minimum effective concentration, no therapeutic effect occurs.
The therapeutic range falls between the MCE and the toxic concentration. This is where the blood plasma level of the drug is intended to be.
The toxic concentration indicates the the concentration of the drug that is not safe to be in the bloodstream.
Dosag
e Infor
mation
for
Tylen
ol
Ace
taminophen
is av
ailab
le in se
veral
different d
osag
es
(Tylen
ol 2014
).
A pers
on sh
ould not
exce
ed 4,000
mg of
aceta
minophen
within 24
hours
(Tylen
ol 20
14).
Th
e live
r meta
bolize
s nea
rly ev
ery drug
and to
xin th
at en
ter th
e bod
y (Meh
ta,
2012).
When
the a
mount o
f ace
taminop
hen in
the
liver
exce
eds t
he thera
peutic
range a
nd
becom
es to
xic, th
e live
r may
becom
e
damag
ed. T
his is
calle
d hepato
toxici
ty.
Damage to the liver occurs between 72-96 hours after acetaminophen injection.
Hepatic necrosis occurs, along with hepatic dysfunction.
If treatment is not received, multi-organ failure is possible.
(Farrell, 2014)
What does acetaminophen toxicity do to the liver?
Always take drugs as directed.
Do not exceed maximum dosage.
Know the dosage of drug per tablet.
Know how often to take the medication.
Know what other medications to avoid while taking Tylenol.
Acetaminophen is in over 600 medications, thus it is easy to exceed the therapeutic dose (Tylenol, 2014).
How to prevent toxicity…
ReferencesFarrell, S. E. (2014, June 24). Acetaminophen Toxicity . Retrieved September 1, 2014, from Medscape:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/ 820200-overview
Tylenol (2014). Frequently asked questions. Washington, PA: McNeil-PPC, Inc. Retrieved from Tylenol:
http://www.tylenol.com/safety-dosing/faq#safety-dosing
Tylenol (2014). Acetaminophen dosage for adults. Washington, PA: McNeil-PPC, Inc. Retrieved from
http://www.getreliefresponsibly.com/acetaminophen-dosage/adults?
utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GRR+-
+Unbranded&utm_term=acetaminophen%2520dosage&utm_content=Acetaminophen+-+Dosing|
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Lehne, R. A. (2013). Pharmacology for Nursing Care, 8th Edition. St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.: Elsevier.
Mehta, N. (2012, June 27). Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity. Retrieved September 2, 2014, from Medscape:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/169814-overview#aw2aab6b3