Paracetamol is a well-known analgesic medication to combat many types of pain.
Here’s everything you need to know about this drug. Despite its popularity, before taking Paracetamol you have to know what it is and what it is for. Equally important is to know its recommended dosage and its side effects and contraindications.
What is Paracetamol?
Paracetamol is an active ingredient in several analgesic and antipyretic drugs. This ingredient can be found in pharmacies under different trade names, such as Gelocatil, Paracetamol Cinfa, Paracetamol Kern Pharma, Tramadol, Dolocatil or Cinfagrip. It should also be noted that in some countries paracetamol is known as acetaminophen or acetaminophen.
Gelocatil is the best known, but there are many generics. In this way, there are different brands that are marketed by different pharmaceutical laboratories. In all cases they are based on the pharmacological action of paracetamol, and it is for this reason that its use and effectiveness is the same.
What is it for?
Paracetamol is a very useful substance for treating pain and symptoms of fever. It can be found in the composition of drugs in which it is the only active ingredient, being very useful to combat headaches and toothaches, as well as menstrual, muscle, joint pain. Also widespread bone pain in febrile processes.
Its antipyretic properties make it an effective substance in minimizing symptoms related to fever, flu and various acute diseases of the respiratory tract.
Thanks to these properties it is found in the composition of drugs with other active ingredients. Above all, its pharmacological action is combined to combat the symptoms related to the diseases of the arrival of winter.
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How to take it?
Paracetamol is a very easy medicine to take . It can be taken regardless of whether you have a full stomach or not, so there is no need to worry about taking it with or without food. The reason is that it does not cause stomach irritation and has no absorption problems.
Paracetamol acts once 30 minutes have elapsed since it has been taken. Its effect is effective for about 4 or 6 hours, and another dose should not be taken until 8 hours have passed since the previous dose.
It should be used while there are still symptoms (headache, toothache, etc.), and in cases of muscle pain or fever, two or three days usually have to be enough. If the pain persists, go to the doctor to study the case well.
presentation
Paracetamol can be bought at the pharmacy without a prescription, and there are different presentations . The most common by far is the presentation in the form of tablets, but it can also be found in sachets with effervescent granules or as syrup, oral drops and suppositories.
This last presentation is indicated in cases in which the fever persists for more than three days. It is recommended to submerge it in water for a few minutes before using it, because by wetting it externally it is easier to administer it in the rectum.
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Recommended dose
The maximum recommended dose is 3 grams of paracetamol per day . This means that if it can be taken every 8 hours, the dose should not exceed one gram. In the case of children, the maximum doses are between 40 mg and 500 mg (depending on age).
It is very important to keep in mind that it is a type of medication whose toxicity occurs in low doses, since it is 4 grams per day. The difference between the amount that allows pharmacological action and the toxic amount is very small, so you have to pay close attention.
Mechanism of action
The analgesic and antipyretic properties of paracetamol derive from its ability to inhibit the production of prostanoids. These substances are a type of prostaglandins, which are responsible for the painful sensation.
Paracetamol is a substance that is characterized by having a high bioavailability . This means that the amount of active drug in circulation once it is taken is very high, reaching all tissues through the bloodstream.
Except in certain cases in which the person taking it has some liver disease, drug concentrations in the blood are not influenced by different conditions (eating, empty stomach, etc.)
This medicine is widely distributed throughout the tissues of the body, with most of it being metabolized in the liver (a small part is excreted in the urine).
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Side effects
Like any medication, paracetamol can have unwanted side effects . It is a very safe and well-tolerated drug if consumed properly, but sometimes different types of adverse reactions may appear.
The first thing to check is that there is no allergic reaction (itching or reddening of the skin, breathing difficulties, etc.). If this happens you have to stop taking the medicine immediately.
The most frequent side effects, without being usual, are stomach discomfort, dizziness or even a yellowish coloration of the skin.
If the recommended doses are not respected, there is a possibility of serious liver damage, so it is very important to have control over its intake. Serious intoxication is usually associated with the accidental ingestion of the medication, which, as has been mentioned, can be toxic if it exceeds 4 grams per day.
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Contraindications
There are a series of contraindications that must be known if you want to take paracetamol . First of all, this medicine should not be taken if you have hypersensitivity or allergy to the product, so in case of any adverse reaction not described above, you should consult a doctor urgently.
There are a number of conditions that are also contraindicated with taking paracetamol, and among them are cases of severe kidney and liver failure, as well as cases of severe hemolytic anemia.
Without being contraindicated, special attention must be paid and follow-up to people with deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, as well as in the case of pregnancy and lactation.
Pregnant and lactating women must agree with the doctor if it is appropriate to take paracetamol. It is a drug that is widely distributed throughout the body, and can cross the placenta and be secreted into breast milk.
On the other hand, no person should take acetaminophen for more than 10 consecutive days. Already in the case of taking paracetamol for three days without improving the symptoms of any condition you have to consult the doctor.
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References
- Mischkowski, D., Crocker, J., & Way, B.M. (2016). From painkiller to empathy killer: acetaminophen (paracetamol) reduces empathy for pain”. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(9), 1345–1353.
- Toussaint K., Yang X.C., Zielinski M.A., et al. . . (2010). What do we (not) know about how paracetamol (acetaminophen) works? Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics , 35(6), 617–638.
- Zhang W., Jones A. & Doherty M. (2004). Does paracetamol (acetaminophen) reduce the pain of osteoarthritis? A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases , 63(8), 90\1–7.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.