What is paracetamol?
Paracetamol is a widely used medicine that is effective in treating pain and reducing high temperatures. It is usually recommended as one of the primary treatments for pain since it is safe for most people to take, and side effects are rare. Paracetamol is the same drug as acetaminophen.
Paracetamol is the drug’s name assigned using the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) generic name system. Paracetamol is the name used for the drug in places such as Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and India. Acetaminophen is the generic name assigned using the United States Adopted Names (USAN) system. Acetaminophen is the name used in countries such as the US, Canada, and Japan. usually, the INN and USAN generic names for a drug are the same and don’t differ between countries.
kinds of paracetamol:
- tablets or caplets
- capsules
- liquid – usually for children
- soluble tablets (tablets that dissolve in water to make a drink)
- suppositories (capsules inserted into the back passage)
- an injection is given into a vein – normally only used in hospital
What is the use of paracetamol:
- Headache
- Tension headache
- Migraine
- Backache
- Rheumatic and muscle pain
- Mild arthritis/osteoarthritis
- Toothache
- Period pain
- Colds and flu symptoms
- Sore throat
- Sinus pain
- Post-operative pain
- Fever
- backache
- headache
- migraine
- muscle strains
- period pain
- toothache
- aches and pains due to colds and flu
What is the Doses of paracetamol?
Make sure you take paracetamol as directed on the label or leaflet, or as instructed by a health professional. How much you can take depends on your age, your weight, the type of paracetamol you’re taking, and how strong it is. For example:
- Adults can usually take 1 or 2 tablets (500mg) every 4-6 hours, but shouldn’t take more than 4g (8 x 500mg tablets) in the space of 24 hours.
- Children under 16 need to take a lower dose, depending on their age or weight – check the packet or leaflet, or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice. For very young children, paracetamol liquid is given using a measuring spoon or an oral syringe.
Paracetamol should start to work within an hour and the effect usually lasts several hours. Don’t take more than the recommended dose if it isn’t relieving your symptoms.
Adults can take ibuprofen at the same time if necessary, but this isn’t usually recommended for children.
Contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse or last more than 3 days despite taking paracetamol.
Be careful not to use other medications that contain paracetamol as an ingredient (such as some cold and flu remedies) while you’re taking it.
How to use Paracetamol :
Take this product by mouth as directed. Follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
There are many brands and forms of acetaminophen available. Read the dosing instructions carefully for each product because the amount of acetaminophen may be different between products. Do not take more acetaminophen than recommended. (See also Warning section.)
If you are giving acetaminophen to a child, be sure you use a product that is meant for children. Use your child’s weight to find the right dose on the product package. If you don’t know your child’s weight, you can use their age.
For suspensions, shake the medication well before each dose. Some liquids do not need to be shaken before use. Follow all directions on the product package. Measure the liquid medication with the provided dose-measuring spoon/dropper/syringe to make sure you have the correct dose. Do not use a household spoon.
Effects of paracetamol:
Use of any drug always carries some risk – even medications can produce unwanted side effects. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
Paracetamol affects everyone differently, based on:
- size, weight, and health
- whether the person is used to taking it
- whether other drugs are taken around the same time
- the amount taken.
Side effects of paracetamol:
The most common side effects of paracetamol are:
- drowsiness and fatigue
- rashes and itching.
- an allergic reaction, which can cause a rash and swelling
- flushing, low blood pressure, and a fast heartbeat – this can sometimes happen when paracetamol is given in hospital into a vein in your arm
- blood disorders, such as thrombocytopenia (low number of platelet cells) and leukopenia (low number of white blood cells)
- liver and kidney damage, if you take too much (overdose) – this can be fatal in severe cases
Children may occasionally experience low blood sugar and tremors, and feel hungry, faint confused after taking paracetamol.
Overdose of paracetamol:
If the dose is too high or the recommended daily dose is exceeded, an ambulance should be called straight away by dialing triple zero (000). Overdose symptoms, listed below, usually only occur 24 hours after taking the drug. An antidote can be administered if the ambulance is called soon after taking paracetamol.
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
- Liver problems
- Seizures
- Coma and death.
Symptoms of overdose:
- Diarrhea
- increased sweating
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- stomach cramps or pain
- swelling, pain, or tenderness in the upper abdomen or stomach area.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose of it:
If you forget to take your dose of it, you should:
- take the dose as soon as you remember
- unless it’s within 4 hours of your next dose — in which case you should skip that dose
Doses of it should be taken at least 4 hours apart.
Don’t take more than the recommended dose over 24 hour period.
Check the directions on your medicine package. It should tell you what to do.
When should I not take it?
do not take it if you have:
- an allergy to it
- taken other medicines that contain it
- already taken the recommended dose within 24 hour period
The following drugs may not be safe to take with paracetamol:
- Warfarin to a blood thinner.
- Carbamazepine of an antiepileptic and analgesic drugs.
- Cholestyramine to a bile salts sequestrant.
- Imatinib drugs for cancer treatment.
- Ketoconazole an antifungal medication.
- Type 2 diabetes medication.
- Metoclopramide — antiemetic drug.
- Phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone
Information for patients:
Ensure your patients are aware that:
- Paracetamol is the active ingredient in a number of pain and fever relief medicines and combination medicines.
- Overdose can occur when taking more than one paracetamol-containing medicine.
- The maximum daily dose of 4 g in any given 24-hour period should not be exceeded for adults and children aged > 12 years.
When recommending paracetamol for pain relief in children and infants less than 12 years of age, ensure know the following:
- Paracetamol comes in different formulations and strengths for different ages. It is important to choose the correct paracetamol product for the child’s age.
- Always read the medicine label and packaging before use.
- Knowing the child’s weight – the recommended dose of paracetamol for children is based on ideal body weight (15 mg/kg
- Never exceed the maximum recommended dosage for children of 15 mg/kg every 4–6 hours to a maximum of 1 g, and no more than 4 doses in a 24-hour periorad.
- It is important to measure liquid medicines accurately using the syringe or device provided.
- Keep track of all medicines given to the child, and when they were given.
- Store medicines out of reach of children.
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