Acetaminophen (ACE) Rapid Tests

The ACE Rapid Test Kit (Urine) is a rapid chromatography-immunoassay for the determination of acetaminophen in urine at a concentration of 5000ng/ml. This test will detect other related compounds, see the "Analytical Specificity" table in this package insert.

Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, or APAP, chemically known as N-acetyl-p-aminophen, is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic (analgesic) and antipyretic (antipyretic). Overdose of untreated acetaminophen can lead to a long and painful illness. There may be no initial signs and symptoms or nonspecific symptoms of acetaminophen toxicity. The first symptoms of overdose usually begin a few hours after ingestion, with the onset of acute liver failure including nausea, vomiting, sweating and pain. People who take an overdose of acetaminophen will not fall asleep or lose consciousness, although most people who attempt suicide with acetaminophen mistakenly believe they will lose consciousness from the drug. The process of overdose death usually takes three to five days. The hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen is by far the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States and the United Kingdom. 2,3 Acetaminophen overdoses resulted in more calls to poison control centers in the United States than overdoses of any other pharmacological substance. The toxicity of paracetamol is thought to be due to its quinone metabolites.

More information can be found here.