Acetaminophen / Aspirin Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Pain

Oral (acetaminophen 250 mg- aspirin 250 mg):
Initial dose: 2 caplets orally every 6 hours, not to exceed 8 caplets in 24 hours.

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Oral (acetaminophen 250 mg- aspirin 250 mg):
Initial dose: 2 caplets orally every 6 hours, not to exceed 8 caplets in 24 hours.

Usual Adult Dose for Backache

Oral (acetaminophen 250 mg- aspirin 250 mg):
Initial dose: 2 caplets orally every 6 hours, not to exceed 8 caplets in 24 hours.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pain

Oral (acetaminophen 250 mg- aspirin 250 mg):
12 years or older:
Initial dose: 2 caplets orally every 6 hours, not to exceed 8 caplets in 24 hours.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Oral (acetaminophen 250 mg- aspirin 250 mg):
12 years or older:
Initial dose: 2 caplets orally every 6 hours, not to exceed 8 caplets in 24 hours.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Backache

Oral (acetaminophen 250 mg- aspirin 250 mg):
12 years or older:
Initial dose: 2 caplets orally every 6 hours, not to exceed 8 caplets in 24 hours.

Renal Dose Adjustments

Detailed information concerning the pharmacokinetic disposition of aspirin in patients with renal dysfunction is not available. Aspirin should be used with caution in chronic renal insufficiency, since it may cause a transient decrease in renal function. The use of aspirin in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl less than 10 mL/minute) is not recommended due to the potential for increased risk of salicylate toxicity.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Use acetaminophen with caution in patients with liver disease. Chronic use of acetaminophen is not recommended in patients with liver disease.

The use of aspirin in patients with severe hepatic impairment is not recommended due to the potential for increased risk of clinically significant bleeding and other adverse effects.

Precautions

Do not exceed the recommended dosage.

Patients who consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks daily should be counseled concerning the bleeding risks associated with aspirin use and the increased risk of liver damage associated with high dose acetaminophen use.

Aspirin should not be used in children or adolescents with viral infections or influenza symptoms due to the association with Reye's syndrome.

The use of aspirin is contraindicated for patients with the syndrome of asthma, rhinitis, and nasal polyps. Aspirin may cause severe urticaria, angioedema, or bronchospasm in these patients.

This combination product is contraindicated in patients with severe bleeding, coagulation or primary hemostasis disorders, nasal polyps associated with asthma, peptic ulcer, serious GI lesions, or on anticoagulant therapy.

The pharmacokinetic disposition of aspirin may be altered in elderly patients, use this combination product with caution.

Tinnitus and/or subjective hearing loss may occur with aspirin use.

Do not exceed 4 g of acetaminophen in a 24 hour period.

Dialysis

The dialysis clearance using a hollow fiber dialyzer averages 112 mL/min and results in removal of approximately 11% of the acetaminophen during an average dialysis session. The dialysis clearance using a Gambro dialyzer and a Dow hollow coil fiber dialyzer in series averages 292 mL/min. The effectiveness of dialysis in removing acetaminophen is limited because of the high capacity of the liver to remove the drug. There are no data available regarding the peritoneal dialysis removal of acetaminophen.

Detailed information concerning the removal of aspirin by hemodialysis is not available. Some investigators have suggested that aspirin and/or salicylate may be removed by hemodialysis and that aspirin dosing should follow dialysis sessions. There are no data available regarding the peritoneal dialysis removal of aspirin.

Other Comments

Drink a full glass of water (8 fluid ounces) with each dose.

See also:

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer