Live Life Team
The painkiller paracetamol is used in the following cases
-Treatment of mild to moderate pain like headaches, symptoms of cold and toothache.
-Treatment of fever
Use in children
Children above the age of 3 months may be recommended to use paracetamol.Sometimes 2 to 3 month babies are also prescribed paracetamol if they get high fever after vaccination. For any other cause of fever or pain babies can be given up to two doses of paracetamol, if the baby weighs more than 4 kg and was not born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Names
Different pharmaceutical manufacturers make paracetamol and so it is sold under different brand names. Sometimes it is combined with other ingredients. Some medicines that contain combination of paracetamol and other painkillers are
-co-dydramol (paracetamol and dihydrocodeine)
-co-codamol (paracetamol and codeine)
-Tramacet (paracetamol and tramadol)
Paracetamol is also available in liquid form.(suspension).Calpol,medinol and Disprol are some of the brand names of paracetamol.
How paracetamol works
Paracetamol works by blocking the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that are released in response to injury or illness.Paracetamol acts on the area of brain that controls the body temperature and thus helps in reducing the temperature.
Considerations
People with the following problems should use paracetamol with caution
-kidney problem
-liver problem
-alcohol dependence
Paracetamol should not be taken with other products containing paracetamol.
Use in pregnancy
For pain relief and to reduce high temperature, paracetamol may be used during pregnancy. There is no clear evidence of any harmful effects caused to the baby by paracetamol.But the dose of paracetamol should be less and should be used for a very short period of time.
Use when breastfeeding
It is considered to be the best medicine for pain relief during pregnancy.
Side effects of paracetamol
The side effects of paracetamol are
-blood disorders
-rash
-liver and kidney damage
This happens if the dosage taken is higher than that is recommended.
-low blood pressure (hypotension)
Ability to drive
Paracetamol if taken as recommended does not cause any adverse affect that may interfere with one’s ability to drive.
Interactions with other medicines
Two or more medicines when taken together and taken separately have different effects in both the cases. This is called interaction. Generally paracetamol does not interact with other medicines when taken along with them. One can consult the GP or ask local pharmacist if it is safe to take paracetamol with other medicines.
Warfarin
Warfarin is a blood thinning medicine. Prolonged use of paracetamol can increase the thinning effect of warfarin if used along with it. The risk of bleeding increases in this case.
Other paracetamol containing medicines
Products that contain paracetamol like Tramacet, co-codamol and co-dydramol should not be used along with paracetamol.
Missed or extra doses
Missed doses
If one forgets to take his dose of paracetamol, follow the following instructions
If the dose is less than two hours late-
Take the dose immediately after remembering and take the next doze after 4 hours.
If the dose is more than two hours late-
Take the next dose and continue as normal.
Extra doses
On taking extra doze skip the next doze and continue as usual. One must not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Consult the GP if you feel unwell after taking the extra dose.
