What is Paracetamol?

It is most widely used household painkiller used without prescription. Paracetamol is available in fix-dose combinations with various other drugs to treat fever, headache, toothache, etc.

📌 Uses

Paracetamol is commonly used to treat:

• Fever
• Headache
• Toothache
• Common cold
• Sore Throat

Dosage

• Adults: 500 MG Tablet of paracetamol can be taken orally every 4 to 6 hours. You should be careful about total dose you are taking per day, it should not exceed beyond 4 GM (heavy alcohol users should not exceed dose beyond 2 GM per day)
• Children: Dose in children [2 to 11 year old] depend on age and weight. Single dose of 10-15 mg/kg is given and no more than five doses should be administered in 24 hours.

⚠️ Side Effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Skin rash
• Constipation

🔍 Precautions

Before taking paracetamol, tell your doctor if you have:

• 🍷 Alcohol: Heavy alcohol consumptions increases the risk of liver injury. Dosage in such people should be guided by physician.
• 🤰 Pregnancy: It is advised to consult physician before taking paracetamol tablet.
• 🤱 Breastfeeding: Paracetamol is safe to use in lactating mothers. Human studies have shown that very small amount of drug is passed in breastmilk and is not harmful to the baby
• 🚗 Driving: Paracetamol tablet does not affect while you are driving
• Liver: Paracetamol tablet should be used with caution in liver disease. Certainly, dose adjustment is needed. Please consult your doctor. In active liver disease it is not advisable to consume paracetamol.
• Kidney: Paracetamol tablet should be used with caution in kidney disease. Dose adjustment will be beneficial. Please consult your doctor. However, paracetamol is considered safest painkiller for patients with kidney disease

🔄 Drug Interactions

Paracetamol may interact with:

🍷 Alcohol: In chronic alcoholics paracetamol can increases chances of liver injury. Increased production of NAPQI, toxic metabolite formed in liver is responsible for liver injury.

Some drugs like phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, rifampicin increases activity of cytochrome enzymes in liver, resulting in more NAPQI formation. These drugs are known as enzyme inducer drugs

📦 Storage

• Store at room temperature (68-77°F or 20-25°C)
• Keep in original container, tightly closed
• Protect from moisture and light

💡 Quick tips from experts:

• 🍽️ Paracetamol tablet should be taken with food or milk to stop causing upset stomach.
• ⏳ Don't take it beyond duration prescribed by your doctor. Long term use may harm your liver and kidney.
• 🚫 Stay away from alcohol while taking this medicine.
• 📋 Inform your doctor if you already have liver disease. Show them all medical reports and lab parameters, that will help physician to make more wiser decisions for your health.

ℹ️ Facts about paracetamol:

• Chemical name: p-aminophenol derivative
• Class of drug: pain analgesics
• Habit forming: NO
• Action starts within: 30-60 min