From the Guidelines
I would explain to the patient that it's essential to have open and honest discussions about their illness, including their understanding of the disease and treatment plan, to ensure they are well-informed and empowered to make decisions about their care. To initiate this conversation, I would ask the patient to share their understanding of their illness, and then provide them with test results, followed by a question like "Would you like to talk about what this means?" as suggested by the American Society of Clinical Oncology consensus guideline 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
For Arthritis Pain label • temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: • minor pain of arthritis For Muscle Aches & Pain label • temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: • muscular aches You can explain to the patient that acetaminophen is used to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains due to various conditions such as arthritis, muscular aches, and headaches. The patient should take the medication as directed and stop use if their pain gets worse or lasts more than 10 days or if they experience any new symptoms 2, 2, 2.
From the Research
Explanation to the Patient
- You can explain to the patient that acetaminophen is a medication used to relieve mild to moderate pain and reduce fever, as shown in studies 3, 4.
- The patient should be informed that while acetaminophen is generally safe when taken as directed, overdosing on the medication can lead to serious health issues, such as liver damage, and that they should follow the recommended dosage and consult their doctor if they have any questions or concerns 3.