Final answer:
A pharmacy technician should not inform the patient that Acetaminophen with Codeine 30 mg is a potent anti-inflammatory agent when filling the prescription, as this is incorrect. The technician should instead file the prescription as a Schedule III substance, affix cautionary labels, and verify patient allergies to its ingredients.
Step-by-step explanation:
When filling a prescription for Acetaminophen with Codeine 30 mg, a pharmacy technician should do everything listed except for informing the patient that this medication is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. This is an incorrect statement because while acetaminophen does have some anti-inflammatory effects, it is not considered a potent anti-inflammatory agent in the same class as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). It is also important to note that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, can lead to liver damage if taken in excessive amounts, particularly in combination with alcohol consumption.
Therefore, the correct actions for a technician are:
- File the prescription as a Schedule III controlled substance, due to the presence of codeine, which has abuse potential.
- Affix an auxiliary label cautioning against performing tasks requiring alertness and avoiding drinking alcohol, due to the risk of central nervous system depression and additional liver stress.
- Verify that the patient is not allergic to Tylenol (acetaminophen) or codeine to prevent adverse reactions.
It is critical to take these precautions as both codeine and acetaminophen can be dangerous if misused, with risks such as respiratory depression from opioids and liver damage from acetaminophen overuse.