Acetaminophen: old friend--new rules.

Acetaminophen is an old and comfortable friend. In its over-the-counter forms (of which there are almost 100), it is used by millions of people for relief of pain and to treat mild fevers. When combined with an opioid as a prescription drug, it is often effective for more severe pain. Generally, for most people, when taken as directed, acetaminophen has proved to be not only effective but also safe with very few adverse effects. However, the relationship between acetaminophen use and acute liver damage is not as well known (despite Federal Drug Administration [FDA] recommendations for changes that relate to both labeling and use). In this article, recent moves by the FDA to make acetaminophen safety are discussed. Nurses who are able to educate their patients about the safety issues related to acetaminophen will be very important in reducing the incidence of overdose-related liver failure.