The analgesic and antipyretic medication paracetamol is used to treat mild and moderate pain and fever temporarily. It is frequently used both alone and as a component in treatments for the flu and the common cold.
Paracetamol works by blocking the chemical messengers in the brain that let us know when we are in pain and by affecting the chemical messengers. It is a relatively safe drug, and can also be taken by pregnant women and children over the age of 2 months; however, doses would vary.
The side effects of paracetamol are relatively rare unless the dosages are wrong.
If necessary, you can take paracetamol doses up to four times each day, every 4-6 hours. Never take more than four paracetamol doses in a 24-hour period, and always wait at least four hours between doses
Stewart, Michael. Symptom Checker, Health Information and Medicines Guide | Patient, 24 Feb. 2023, https://patient.info/medicine/paracetamol-calpol-disprol-hedex-panadol.
The usual side effects of paracetamol intake are rare, but usually include the following:
Paracetamol overdose:
Never exceed the suggested dose on the label. Your liver may become damaged if you use paracetamol in excess. Even if you or someone you know feels fine, go to the emergency room right away if you suspect an overdose.
Overdosing on paracetamol or a medication containing it can result in an acute or staggered overdose, as well as therapeutic excess.
Occasionally, acute metabolic acidosis and coma may be the earliest symptoms of a major overdose. If a paracetamol and opioid combination preparation is consumed in excess or following a drug overdose, presentation with coma may also happen.
Overdosing also damages and affects the liver, this is because the liver mostly removes paracetamol from the body. There is a limit to how much paracetamol the liver can handle at once. For the hazardous breakdown products of paracetamol to be neutralized, a molecule known as glutathione is required. When glutathione is depleted, harmful compounds accumulate and harm the liver cells. 4g of paracetamol per 24 hours can be safely eliminated by an adult body thanks to glutathione, which is why that dosage is advised. Consuming more than this can result in deadly and irreversible liver damage.
If you have any allergies, including to paracetamol or any other medication, let your doctor or pharmacist know before consuming it. Inactive chemicals in the product can have the potential to trigger allergic reactions or other issues. To learn more, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist of your medical history before consumption, particularly if you have liver disease or consume or abuse alcohol.
If you have missed a dose of paracetamol during your regular schedule, skip the missed dose and consume at the next time scheduled, do not double the dosage to compensate for the missed dose.
A variety of over-the-count (OTC) cold and flu treatments contain paracetamol. If you are using any prescription or over-the-counter that contain paracetamol, avoid taking separate paracetamol doses.
Before beginning your paracetamol dosage, make sure your doctor knows your conditions, such as:
Pregnancy: Since paracetamol is used by many pregnant women, without having any negative effects on the mother or the child, it essentially is the pain reliever of choice for those who are expecting
Pregnant women should see their doctor before using paracetamol, as they should with any medication taken during pregnancy. If you use paracetamol while pregnant, be cautious and take it for the shortest amount of time and at the lowest effective dose.
