VERY INTERESTING NUMBER 86: PARACETAMOL

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about 

PARACETAMOL

1. How it works

• Paracetamol is what acetaminophen is called in almost every country in the world apart from the U.S. and Canada (where it is called acetaminophen). Paracetamol is exactly the same as acetaminophen.
• Paracetamol is used to relieve pain. Experts aren't sure exactly how paracetamol works, but suspect it blocks a specific type of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme, located mainly in the brain.
• Paracetamol belongs to the class of medicines called analgesics (pain relievers); it is specifically a non-narcotic analgesic. It may also be called an antipyretic because it will bring down a fever.

2. Upsides

• Effective for the temporary relief of minor aches, pains, and headache. May be used in the treatment of many conditions such as arthritis, backache, colds, menstruation pain, and toothache.
• Also, lowers a fever but does not control inflammation.
• First choice for mild-to-moderate pain due to its efficacy, minimal toxicity, and low cost.
• At low dosages, it lacks the gastrointestinal side effects associated with NSAID pain relievers (does not cause ulcerations, bleeding or perforations).
• May be combined with strong opioids for the treatment of severe pain.
• Available in a range of formulations including liquid, oral tablets, oral disintegrating tablets, chewable tablets, controlled-release tablets, dispersible tablets, injectable, and rectal preparations.
• Generic paracetamol is available.

3. Downsides

• If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:
• Rarely, may cause itchiness, constipation, nausea, vomiting, headache, insomnia, and agitation. May cause gastrointestinal side effects at high dosages.
• The potential for liver damage exists, even at recommended dosages. The risk is increased with higher dosages, a shorter interval between doses, in people who drink three or more alcoholic drinks per day, when taken with other medications that also contain paracetamol or acetaminophen, and in patients with pre-existing liver disease.
• Considered less effective for pain relief than NSAIDs but associated with a lower risk of side effects.
• May not be suitable for some people including people who regularly consume three or more glasses of alcohol per day and those with liver disease.
• May interact with some other medications including warfarin.
• Notes: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. 

4. Bottom Line

• Paracetamol is an effective mild pain reliever with a low risk of side effects.

5. Tips

• May be administered without regards to food; although food may decrease any reported stomach upset.
• Do not exceed the recommended dosage, because this may put you at risk of liver toxicity. Adults and teenagers who weigh at least 110 pounds (50kg) should not take more than 1000mg of paracetamol in one dose or more than 4000mg in 24 hours. Children younger than 12 years should only take the dosage recommended to them on the label (this varies depending on their weight and age).
• Always seek your doctor's advice before administering paracetamol to children aged less than two. If you are giving pediatric paracetamol, always use the dosing syringe provided, or another suitable properly calibrated measure. Do NOT use a kitchen teaspoon.
• Shake liquid paracetamol before use. Chewable tablets should be properly chewed before swallowing. Hands should be dry before handling the paracetamol disintegrating tablet, then the tablet should be placed on the tongue and allowed to fully dissolve before swallowing. Paracetamol disintegrating granules should be dissolved in at least four ounces of water; the mixture stirred, then drunk straight away.
• Men should not drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day and women no more than one alcoholic drink per day while taking paracetamol.
• Contact your doctor if symptoms worsen, if redness or swelling occurs in the painful area, if a fever lasts longer than 3 days (all ages), or for persistent pain (excluding sore throat) of longer than 10 days in adults, 5 days in children and adolescents, or 3 days for infants.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you or your child has a sore throat that is severe, persists for longer than 2 days, or is followed by fever, rash, headache, nausea, or vomiting.
• Be careful not to administer other products containing paracetamol or acetaminophen at the same time. Paracetamol is often an ingredient in combination cold and flu remedies.
• Seek urgent medical attention if you develop pain in your upper abdomen, dark urine, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes or clay-colored stools.
• Do not take paracetamol without your doctor's advice if you are pregnant.