Paracetamol – Uses, Dosage, Precautions & Warnings

Paracetamol is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic & antipyretic drug used in the treatment of Fever, Moderate Pain, Post-immunisation pyrexia and Bodyache.

Paracetamol is also known by the name of Acetaminophen, It is also a choice of drug for treating pain in the pregnant women’s.

Category of drug	NSAID’s
Uses	Fever, Moderate Pain, Post-immunisation pyrexia and Bodyache & Dysmenorrhea
Side Effects	Acidity, Peptic Ulcer, Nausea, Vomiting, Constipation, Insomnia, Pruritus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Strength	325, 500 and 1000 mg.

Read – Watson 853 Pill – Identification, Uses & Dosage

Key Facts of Paracetamol

Paracetamol can be combined with other anti sickness medicines and it is one of the most common ingredient of cold and flu medicines.

Always consume Paracetamol after a meal to avoid gastric side effects like acidity and constipation.

It is safe to consume Paracetamol in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Maximum dosage of Paracetamol is 4 grams a day (in serious conditions only).

Popular Brand Names – Alvedon, Calpol, Disprol, Hedex, Mandanol, Medinol, Panadol.

Dosage of Paracetamol

Dosage and strength of paracetamol will be decided by your doctor and it will be decided by your condition and response to treatment.

Usual dose of paracetamol in fever is 500 mg of paracetamol every 8 – 12 hours. For Moderate to mild pain 325 mg along with any muscle relaxant is sufficient.

For Post-immunisation pyrexia and Bodyache, the usual dose is 500 mg of paracetamol once a day.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for dosage of paracetamol in any other conditions.

Read – White 44175 Pill – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects

Precautions of Paracetamol

Do not consume alcohol while taking paracetamol, as it may make your symptoms more worst.

Patient with known allergic to paracetamol should avoid this and demand for other alternate medicine.

Special precaution should be taken in the patients with kidney or liver failure.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any other drugs you are taking.

Never take more than the recommended dose by prescriber or pharmacist. Taking too much paracetamol can cause damage to your liver.

Side Effects of Paracetamol

Like all other medicines, Paracetamol also causes some mild to severe side effects. Although they are very rare and happens in about 1-5% of patients taking it.

Following is the list of common side effects of paracetamol:

1. Nausea and Vomiting
2. Vertigo
3. Acidity
4. Gastric Ulcers
5. Constipation
6. Insomnia
7. Flushing
8. Pruritus
9. Stevens-Johnson syndrome 

Drug Interaction of Paracetamol

Drug interaction can change the way paracetamol works and may alter the way it works. Drug interactions can cause some serious side effects.

Following is the list of drugs which interact with paracetamol:

• Phenytoin,
• Phenobarbital,
• Carbamazepine,
• Primidone,
• Warfarin,
• Metoclopramide,
• Domperidone,
• Probenecid,
• Chloramphenicol.

Read – 44334 Pill – (Oval-Oblong shaped pill)

How does it works?

Paracetamol exhibits analgesic action by peripheral blockage of pain impulse generation. It produces antipyresis by inhibiting the hypothalamic heat-regulating centre. Its weak anti-inflammatory activity is related to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the CNS. 

How to store paracetamol tablet?

It is recommended to store paracetamol in airtight container which comes with it. Keep it away from direct sunlight and moisture.

Keep it out of reach from children’s and pets.

Read – T 192 Pill – Identification, Uses, Precautions & Side Effects

FAQs of Paracetamol