PARACETAMOL

COMMON BRAND NAME(S):

GENERIC NAME(S): ACETAMINOPHEN

 

Description: Paracetamol is a pain reliever by blocking pain impulse generation. It reduces fever by blocking the heat-regulating centre in the hypothalamus. Its weak anti-inflammatory activity is related to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the CNS.

Onset: Oral: <1 hr. IV: 5-10 min (analgesia); w/in 30 min (antipyretic).

Duration: 4-6 hr (analgesia). IV: ≥6 hr (antipyretic).

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Readily absorbed from the GI tract. Time to peak plasma concentration: Approx 10-60 min (oral).

Distribution: Distributed into most body tissues; crosses the placenta and enters breast milk. Plasma protein binding: Approx 25%.

Metabolism: Hepatic via glucuronic and sulfuric acid conjugation. N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine (minor hydroxylated metabolite), is usually produced in very small amounts by CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 isoenzymes in the liver and kidneys.

Excretion: Mainly via urine (as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, <5% as unchanged drug). Elimination half-life: Approx 1-3 hr.

Uses

This drug is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds and fevers.

How to use Paracetamol

Take this product by mouth as directed. Follow all directions on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

There are many brands and forms of acetaminophen available. Read the dosing instructions carefully for each product because the amount of acetaminophen may be different between products. Do not take more acetaminophen than recommended. (See also Warning section.)

If you are giving acetaminophen to a child, be sure you use a product that is meant for children. Use your child’s weight to find the right dose on the product package. If you don’t know your child’s weight, you can use their age.

For suspensions, shake the medication well before each dose. Some liquids do not need to be shaken before use. Follow all directions on the product package. Measure the liquid medication with the provided dose-measuring spoon/dropper/syringe to make sure you have the correct dose. Do not use a household spoon.

For rapidly-dissolving tablets, chew or allow to dissolve on the tongue, then swallow with or without water. For chewable tablets, chew thoroughly before swallowing.

Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.

For effervescent tablets, dissolve the dose in the recommended amount of water, then drink.

Pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the symptoms have worsened, the medication may not work as well.

Do not take this medication for fever for more than 3 days unless directed by your doctor. For adults, do not take this product for pain for more than 10 days (5 days in children) unless directed by your doctor. If the child has a sore throat (especially with high fever, headache, or nausea/vomiting), consult the doctor promptly.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens or if you develop new symptoms. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away.

Warnings

Taking too much acetaminophen may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Adults should not take more than 4000 milligrams (4 grams) of acetaminophen a day. People with liver problems and children should take less acetaminophen. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how much acetaminophen is safe to take.

Do not use with any other drug containing acetaminophen without asking your doctor or pharmacist first.

Acetaminophen is in many nonprescription and prescription medications (such as pain/fever drugs or cough-and-cold products). Check the labels on all your medicines to see if they contain acetaminophen, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.

Get medical help right away if you take too much acetaminophen (overdose), even if you feel well. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, stomach/abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, yellowing eyes/skin, and dark urine.

Daily alcohol use, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may damage your liver. Avoid alcohol.

Pregnancy Risk: Category C (Risk cannot be ruled out)

Side effects

See also Warning section.

This drug usually has no side effects. If you have any unusual effects, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking acetaminophen, get emergency help immediately:

Symptoms of overdose

  • Diarrhea
  • increased sweating
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea or vomiting
  • stomach cramps or pain
  • swelling, pain, or tenderness in the upper abdomen or stomach area

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Precautions:

See also Warning section.

Before taking acetaminophen, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, regular use/abuse of alcohol.

Liquid products, chewable tablets, or dissolving/effervescent tablets may contain sugar or aspartame. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. If you have any of these conditions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about using these products safely.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.

Acetaminophen passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

 

Interactions:

See also Warning section.

A product that may interact with this drug is: ketoconazole.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose:

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes

Acetaminophen does not cause the stomach and intestinal ulcers that NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen may cause. However, acetaminophen does not reduce swelling (inflammation) like the NSAIDs do. Consult your doctor for more details and to see which medication might be right for you.

Missed Dose

If you are taking this medication on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

 

Brands:

Available Brands:

Acetadol [ Medi-Rx ]

Aeknil [ Therapeutic ]

Alvedon [ Multicare ]

Anaseran [ Medhaus ]

Biogesic [ United Lab ]

Biogesic FastFizz [ United Lab ]

Calpol [ GlaxoSmithKline ]

Cemol [ SRS Pharma ]

Corgic/Corgic Plus [ Le Jumont ]

Cortalgesic Xtra [ Pharma-Rex ]

Dynacet [ Pasteur Pharma ]

Febrile Free [ NCPC ]

Febrinil [ Oboi ]

Ifimol IV [ Unique ]

Kiddilets [ United Lab ]

Napran [ JB Orchid Pharma ]

Naprex [ Pediatrica ]

Opigesic [ Bayer ]

Pacetamol [ Bal Pharma ]

Panadol [ GlaxoSmithKline ]

Phil Pharmawealth/Cipla Paracetamol [ Cipla ]

Phil Pharmawealth/Oboi Paracetamol [ Oboi ]

Pyritas [ Umedica ]

Tempra [ Taisho ]

TGP Paracetamol [ Steinbach ]

Tylenol [ Johnson & Johnson ]

Ultragesic [ Medic+Aid ]

Zestagesic [ AD-Drugstel ]

Also marketed as:

Acet [ Euro-Med ]

Baropyrine [ Am-Europharma ]

Betanol [ Wellhealth ]

Biocet [ Dongkwang Pharm ]

Biopain [ CSPC Ouyi Pharma ]

Bioretic [ Jinling Pharma ]

Clocephen [ Boie ]

Cloxina [ Lewison ]

Crocin [ Solvay Pharma ]

Detramol [ Filadams ]

DLI-Paracetamol [ DLI ]

Dolexpel [ Morishita-Seggs ]

Dolonil [ Lloyd ]

Gendol [ Pharma Dynamic ]

Geran [ GPC ]

Gifaril P [ Wander ]

Lafayette Paracetamol [ Lafayette ]

Lexalgin [ Danlex ]

Medgenol [ MedGen ]

Medicol-A [ United Lab ]

Myremol [ Myrex Ethica Lab ]

Nahalgesic [ Hubie Huazhong ]

Napalgin [ Doctors ]

Nektol [ Vamsler ]

Neo-Aspilets [ United Lab ]

Nordex [ Ashford ]

Oxydol [ Vhermann Pharma ]

Panadene [ Basic Pharma ]

Para-4-Kids [ Blue Sky ]

Parace [ Pharma International ]

Paracef [ SPM ]

Para-IV [ Jiangsu Sihuan ]

Paramed [ JM Tolmann ]

Parvid [ Genesis ]

Phil Pharmawealth/Atlantic Paracetamol [ Atlantic Lab ]

Poro [ YSP ]

PRC Suspension/PRC Drops [ La Croesus ]

PRC Tablet [ Morishita-Seggs ]

Pyreset [ Marck Biosciences ]

Rapidol [ Pasteur Pharma ]

Ratamol [ Mercury Lab ]

Raxem [ Square Pharma ]

Rexidol [ UAP ]

Riber [ Solvang ]

RiteMED Paracetamol [ RiteMED ]

Rongesic [ Virgo ]

Selegesic [ Sel-J Pharma ]

Sinomol [ Sinochem Ningbo ]

Sintos [ Square Pharma ]

Tempain/Tempain Forte [ Blooming Fields ]

Tempcaire [ PediaCare ]

Teramol/Teramol Forte [ Terramedic ]

United Home Paracetamol [ United Lab ]

Zydinol [ S V More ]

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