Paracetamol

Paracetamol is related to a category of medicines which is known as

painkillers or analgesics. It is used to get relieve from pain and fever

(high temperature) in children and adults. Paracetamol is easily available

in all retail medicine shops because it is a common painkiller.

A recent review published in UK magazine has revealed that now

doctors have strong medical proof to recommend paracetmol as the

finest treatments for patients suffering from acute pain which may be

triggered by inflammation from surgery, tissue damage and dental

exertion or any other injury. The study has shown that no other drug

gave all patients a high relief from pain except paracetamol. It was the

most efficient drug which aided more than 70% of patients where as the

other painkillers only gave 14 % relief.

Paracetamol powder is white crystalline in nature which has been

available in chemist shops in sachets. Chemical suppliers supply

acetaminophen powder to pharmaceutical scientists, chemistry students,

educational institutions, biochemists, medical institutions,

pharmacologists, toxicologists and medical students.

Paracetamol drug is produced by numerous pharmaceutical

manufacturers with a unique brand name of their product. In few

countries, paracetamol is recognized as acetaminophen. It is available in

tablet, capsule, soluble tablets, suppositories, powder form and oral

suspension. Paracetamol is also available in liquid form which is

particularly aimed for children treatment. It is available in the form of

tablets, capsules, injection and syrup. You can buy Paracetamol

powder available in sachet.

Acetaminophen is the

common name for

paracetamol easily

available over-the-counter

and prescription

medications. It is

advisable that one must

check product labels to

make sure that he/she

takes only single dose of paracetamol. One should avoid paracetamol if

he/she consumes more than three drinks of alcohol because

acetaminophen lowers your body’s tolerance which can result into

further harm to your liver.

Many companies

manufacture the

medicines containing

Paracetamol and these

medicines mostly used for

cold and flu remedies. It

is also used to alleviate

headache, body ache,

tooth pain, muscle pain,

backache, arthritis etc.

Before taking the Paracetamol always keep in mind that an overdose of

Paracetamol can cause serious harm. The highest quantity of

Paracetamol for adults is 1 gram per dose and per day its amount should

not exceed from 4 grams. If you are medicating a child, never use

Paracetamol tablet. You must use paracetamol in the form of syrup or

drops. You must carefully follow the instruction and dosage directions

given by the paediatrician. If your child younger than 5 years, you must

consult a doctor before giving any medicine otherwise it can harm your

child. You can also buy Paracetamol powder which can also be used

for the same purpose.

You should keep Paracetamol away from moisture and heat in order to

preserve it. You keep it normal room temperature but away from the

reach of children. The syrup or drop can be stored in the refrigerator.

The chemical analysis related with paracetamol may vary depending on

the quantity and also accurate treatment procedure. In most of the cases,

significant hepatic necrosis induces intensity hepatic failure by means of

difficulties like hypoglycaemia, sepsis, hepatic encephalopathy, internal

bleeding, renal disaster, cerebral oedema, various other malfunction,

plus death within few months.

To avoid Paracetamol poisoning or any other side effect, before

consuming it, carefully read the manufacturer's printed detail on the

leaflet. The manufacturer's leaflet provides you exact information related

to paracetamol and it also contains a complete list of the side-effects

which you may get after taking it. Take Paracetamol exactly as you have

been suggested by your doctors or pharmacist. To know the exact

dosage, you can also read the label of the bottle.

It is an effective analgesic alone or in combination. It is also an

antipyretic which is usually found as a 500 mg tablet, but it is often

mixed with other chemical ingredients in numerous preparations.

After about 10-60 minutes of oral administration of paracetamol, it gets

absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract together with peak plasma

concentrations. Paracetamol gets circulated into body tissues

immediately. Plasma protein is negligible at normal remedial doses but it

starts increasing as the doses increase. Paracetamol is metabolized

(organic process essential for life) comprehensively in the liver and

emitted out in the urine majorly as waste sulfate conjugates and

glucuronide.

Paracetamol includes

metabolites which are

negligible

hydroxylated

transitional which

have hepatotoxic

action. This

transitional

metabolite is

detoxified by

combination with glutathione, though it can gather more than 150mg/kg

or 10g total paracetamol consumed (overdose), but if left untreated, it

can result into permanent liver damage. Premature infants, infants,

newborns, and young children compared with adults, paracetamol gets

metabolized differently, and the sulfate conjugate remains significant.

As per mechanism process of paracetamol, it is a p-aminophenol product

that shows antipyretic and analgesic action. It does not have anti-

inflammatory action. It is considered to generate analgesia via a middle

prostaglandin synthesis inhibition.

Paracetamol side effects are uncommon and normally mild, however

haematological reaction (related with blood producing organs) have

been reported. Hypersensitivity and skin reactions are observed rarely. If

the overdose of paracetamol is not treated in time, it can cause severe

and sometimes serious liver damage and occasionally, delicate renal

tubular necrosis.

Overdose of Paracetamol could damage your liver. If you have liver

disease or you take over three alcoholic drinks per day, you must consult

your doctor before taking Paracetamol. Make sure that you are not

consuming more than one medicine containing Paracetamol. If you are

prescribed to take this medicine (Paracetamol), avoid drinking alcohol as

it may induce the chances of liver damage. If you are allergic to

Acetaminophen or Paracetamol, you should not take any medicine

containing Paracetamol. Also, If you are pregnant and do not want to

harm your unborn child, you must ask your doctor before taking

Paracetamol.

Overdose of paracetamol may cause liver malfunction. This can also

result into

Vomiting and nausea that may last for around 24 hours.

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level)

Haemorrhage (bleeding)

Cerebral Oedema (fluid on the brain)

Encephalopathy (related with brain function)

You should stop taking Paracetamol and consult your doctor in the

following cases-

If you noticing some skin rashes, swelling, redness, inflammation

or ongoing headache.

If you still have fever (high temperature) after the use of

Paracetamol for continuously three days.

If your pain is not alleviated even after the use of Paracetamol for

seven days. (5 days in case of child).