Paracetamol : Indication, Side-effect, Dosage

By
Dr. Bhavin Pabari
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In This blog, we learn about Paracetamol medicine which is available under the brand name of Penadol, Calpol, etc. Other name of paracetamol is acetaminophen. This medicine is commonly used to treat fever and mild to moderate pain.

We learn this medicine in below format

BASIC INFORMATION

Earlier medicine used for fever and pain are acetanilide and phenacetin but it has more side-effect. These drug causes cyanosis due to methemoglobinemia.

Paracetamol was first marketed in the United States in 1950 under the name of Triagesic.

This medicine is on the counter (OTC) product. It means we do not required doctor’s prescription to buy this medicine. 

This is very useful household medicine. We find this medicine in almost every home because it is useful to all age group. It really helps in emergency time to treat pain & fever.

It is one of the essential medicine in list of World Health Organization (WHO).

INDICATION

    1. To control fever

        • It helps to reduce high temperature
    2. To control any kind of mild to moderate pain
        • Headache
        • Toothache
        • Backache
        • Knee joint pain
        • Menstrual pain
        • Post surgical pain

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MODE OF ACTION

How paracetamol controls fever?

Normal body temperature is 98.6 F, which is regulated by hypothalamus (brain)
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When infection occurs, there is increase secretion of prostaglandin
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Which causes disturbance in hypothalamus & due to that temperature increases called fever
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After taking paracetamol, this medicine blocks the synthesis of prostaglandin

 

So, for period of time hypothalamus works well & temperature decreases.

This way paracetamol decreases the temperature for short period of time. Other medicines will control the infection. 

How paracetamol controls the pain?

When we got injury, there is increase secretion of prostaglandin by our body
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It causes nerve stimulation & so, we feel pain
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After taking paracetamol, it blocks the synthesis of prostaglandin

 

So, brain not recieved the message of pain temporarily. 

This way paracetamol controls pain. With time injured part heal & patient will feel completely okay.

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DOSAGE

10-15 mg/kg per dose
Weight mg Time
10kg 150mg three time or every 4 hours
20kg 300mg three time or every 4 hours
Adult 500mg or 650mg three time or every 4 hours
Maximum dosage – 4000mg (4gm) per day

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SIDE EFFECT

Each & every molecule which have effect also have side-effect. But, it not occurs to everyone. It occurs to only who have sensitivity to particular molecule.

If adverse effect occurs, that may be one of below

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Rashes
  • Liver damage in overdose

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SPECIAL PRECAUTION

  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease

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STRENGTH & BRAND NAMES

This medicine is available in tablet, capsule, injection form.

Brand names : Calpol, dolo, T98, 99F, panadol

Available strenth are as below

  • 100mg drop
  • 125mg liquid 
  • 250mg liquid
  • 300mg tablet
  • 500mg tablet
  • 650mg tablet

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PARACETAMOL IN PREGNANCY & LACTATION

This medicine is safe in both pregnancy & lactation. 

But we should avoid prolonged use of paracetamol in pregnancy and use it only when necessary, at the lowest effective dosage and for the shortest time.

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