Paracetamol – Really Safe ?

Paracetamol is undoubtedly the first medicine you take when you feel fever, tiredness, or minor pain. It is generally the safest medicine. As it is a secure and readily available medicine, people may overuse it, leading to self-poisoning with Paracetamol. Here you will know all about Paracetamol and how to use it safely to avoid the potential damage it may cause if misused.

What Is Paracetamol?

Paracetamol is the main chemical ingredient of your favourite Panadol or Tylenol tablet. It belongs to the analgesics and antipyretics class of medicines. Acetaminophen or N-acetyl-p-aminophenol are its other names. It is available with your local Pharmacy without any prescription from your G.P.

When can you use Paracetamol?

You can use Paracetamol for reducing high body temperature and pain in your children and adults. It is available either alone or in multiple fixed-dose combinations. Its available varieties contain Paracetamol with other medicines. These combinations are known to work as;

• Pain relievers
• Sleep aids
• Toothache remedies
• Allergy relievers
• Cough relievers
• Nasal decongestants
• Expectorants
• Cold and flu preparations
• Sore throat treatments

How Does Paracetamol Work?

Prostaglandin is one of the main reasons behind your high fever and pain. Paracetamol works to reduce prostaglandin synthesis and relieves your fever and pain. After taking Paracetamol, it dissolves in your stomach and becomes part of your blood like any food. It then travels through the body with blood. It inhibits prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system.

How Long Does Paracetamol Take To Start Its Effect?

When taken in the usual dose, Paracetamol takes nearly 30 to 60 minutes to reduce your fever and aches, and it keeps on working for up to 6 hours.

How To Use Paracetamol Safely And Effectively?

You want to use Paracetamol, and you do not want it to damage your health, so always follow the below guidelines;

• You can take it with or without food.
• Always take it only within the recommended dose according to your age group. (Read in next section)
• Use it within the maximum allowed daily dose range.
• Take your next dose at least after 4 hours.
• Recalculate your total quantity of Paracetamol if you use it with any other combination medicine that also contains Paracetamol.
• Use it only if it is safe to use for you.

What To Avoid While Taking Paracetamol?

• Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Paracetamol as they become partners in damaging your liver.
• Do not use it in quantities more than the recommended dose for your age group.
• Do not exceed the maximum allowed daily dose range.
• Do not take your next dose before 4 Hours of the first dose.

Who Should Not Take Paracetamol?

Everyone can take it even it is safe to take Paracetamol in pregnancy and nursing mothers, but if you are one of the below, take it with caution and consider a consultation with your Pharmacist and Doctor before starting to use it.

• If you have had an allergic reaction to Paracetamol.
• If you have known liver or kidney disease.
• If you have glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
• If you have arthritis and are already taking some Painkillers every day.

What Is The Recommended Daily Dose of Paracetamol?

Adults may take 1-2 tablets (500mg – 1g) of Paracetamol after every 4-6 hours by mouth. For persons below 18 years of age, follow the below table.

How Many Tablets Of Paracetamol Can You Take In 24hrs?

An adult can take a maximum of 8 tablets (500mg each) of Paracetamol in 24 Hours. But this is a maximum dose in 24 hours; you cannot take it whole at a time. You need to divide it into at least four doses. For persons below 18 years of age, please follow the below table.

What Possible Side Effects does Paracetamol have?

Suppose you are taking your Paracetamol in the correct dose; still, there is a possibility you can have some side effects. Mostly, they will not show in everybody as Paracetamol is generally well tolerated.

Some possible side effects of Paracetamol are

• An allergic reaction; having some skin rashes and itching along with swelling of the mouth and areas around your eyes and shortness of breath
• These allergic reactions occur occasionally, but they show primarily in people who have known allergic reactions to other painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin.
• Nausea, loss of appetite, sudden weight loss, and yellowing of eyes and skin
• Rarely it can also cause severe reduction in white blood cells and can lead to recurrent fever and infections.

What Will Happen If You Over Consume Paracetamol?

• Suppose you are using it in large quantities over the recommended dosage. In that case, you may damage your liver, medically named the fatal hepatic necrosis. Paracetamol induced liver damage leads to nearly 80,000 emergency department visits and 30,000 hospitalizations annually in the U.S.
• This fatal hepatic necrosis may also lead to kidney damage, medically named renal tubular necrosis. Your blood glucose level may become low, and you may fall into a coma (hypoglycemic coma).
• Suppose you have malnutrition or you consume alcohol in routine. In that case, you may also develop liver injury even with the recommended Paracetamol dosage.

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References

• GOODMAN & GILLMAN’S, THE PHARMACOLOGICAL BASIS OF THERAPEUTICS, THIRTEENTH EDITION
• Rotundo L, Pyrsopoulos N. Liver injury induced by Paracetamol and challenges associated with intentional and unintentional use. World J Hepatol 2020; 12(4): 125-136
• C.L. SHEEN, et al. Paracetamol toxicity: epidemiology, prevention and costs to the health‐care system. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 95, Issue 9, September 2002, Pages 609–619
• The National Health Service (NHS) Guidelines, United Kingdom