Medication Literacy Regarding Acetaminophen in Adults

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this project was to assess current acetaminophen knowledge, provide education with an interactive activity, and assess learning to increase awareness of risks associated with excess acetaminophen ingestion in adults. Methods: A pre-test/post-test survey was used. Adults (n=16) were recruited from the Red Mountain Multigenerational Center to participate in a six-item pre-test/post-test survey on acetaminophen topics and an interactive over-the-counter cold medication identification activity. Education based on pre-test and activity results were given one-on-one to each participant. Results: Most participants were unaware that the maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen was four grams (75%) and 68.75% were unable to identify that the liver was the primary organ damaged in the event of an overdose. Additionally, 87.5% of participants did not know that acetaminophen was an alternative name for Tylenol and had difficulty with selecting other OTC medications that contained acetaminophen. For example, 18.75% of participants correctly identified that Percocet contained acetaminophen. Furthermore, 31.25% of participants correctly selected that overdose of acetaminophen may cause both need for liver transplant and death. Of the OTC medications used during the interactive activity, 56.25% correctly identified 100% of OTC products including acetaminophen, 31.25% correctly identified 80% of products, 18.75% correctly identified 60% of products and 6.25% correctly identified 20% of products. After education, the percentage of correct answers on each of the five post-test survey questions increased significantly. Conclusions: Findings suggest that adults in the general population may not have enough acetaminophen knowledge to avoid unintentional adverse acetaminophen usage. Additional education on acetaminophen safety is necessary to prevent life-threatening complications with this common OTC medication.