MDose · Veterinary drug reference
ACETAMINOPHEN
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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
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Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Mild-moderate pain, esp. with renal-sparing need (weak antipyretic/analgesic, no anti-inflammatory activity)
DogExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Mild-moderate pain, esp. with renal-sparing need (weak antipyretic/analgesic, no anti-inflammatory activity) — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
None — never use
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Indications table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: None — never use — Contraindicated
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Indications table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens3
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects110
Methemoglobinemia, hemolysis (Heinz body anemia), icterus — Severe, often fatal without treatment
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Hepatic necrosis — More common toxic effect
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Facial/paw edema, KCS — Reported toxic effects
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Death by euthanasia15 reports
- Abnormal radiograph finding12 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')12 reports
- Vomiting12 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)10 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS9 reports
- Ataxia8 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS8 reports
- Weakness8 reports
- Anorexia7 reports
- Diarrhoea7 reports
- Death6 reports
Cat
- Anaphylaxis1 reports
- Fluid from nose1 reports
- Not eating1 reports
- Oral ulceration1 reports
- Swollen tongue1 reports
- Tracheal and laryngeal disorder NOS1 reports
Monitoring1
Liver enzymes periodically with chronic dosing; hematology/liver panel closely if any accidental feline exposure
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Cats and ferrets — at ANY dose, no exceptions
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Dogs: judicious use, avoid immediate post-op period; hepatic impairment
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Never dispense combination products (acetaminophen + codeine/hydrocodone/tramadol) where a cat could access them.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Cat exposure is a true emergency — treat with acetylcysteine, SAMe, oxygen support; do not wait for clinical signs to develop.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dogs are more sensitive to methemoglobin-forming/RBC toxicity than humans — dose carefully even though "less toxic than in cats."
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions6
Doxorubicin — Depletes hepatic glutathione — ↑ toxicity
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Barbiturates — ↑ conversion to hepatotoxic metabolites
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Halothane — Avoid post-op use after halothane anesthesia
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Isoniazid — ↑ hepatotoxicity risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Propylene glycol (wet cat food) — ↑ severity of methemoglobinemia if exposure occurs
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics5
Bioavailability — Not specifically reported for dogs; rapid/near-complete in humans
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Protein binding — ~25% (human data)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — Not well characterized in dogs; dose-dependent (saturable) metabolism in dogs
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic glucuronidation/conjugation with glutathione
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — Renal (metabolites)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
No veterinary data; relatively safe occasional use in human pregnancy (FDA category B). Excreted in milk at low levels (milk:plasma ~0.9–1.4).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 23–25; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 3–4 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references20
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Prenatal Paracetamol Exposure and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Critical Review of Proposed Mechanisms, Epidemiological Evidence, and Causal Inference.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Analgesic use, safety and pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen in equids: A structured scoping review.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Rapidly Liver-Accumulating BiOCl@ITA Nanozyme for Synergistic ROS Scavenging and Macrophage Reprogramming in APAP-Induced Liver Injury.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Quantifying the Equine Pain Response to Paracetamol Administration in Horses With Chronic Lameness Already Receiving Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Packed-bed bioreactor-based evaluation of Paracoccus sp. APAP_BH8 potential for acetaminophen biodegradation.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.