Paracetamol
Pharmacology
Paracetamol is one of the safest and most widely used analgesics and antipyretics. It produces analgesic action by elevation of the pain threshold and antipyresis through action on the hypothalamic heat-regulating center. Paracetamol exerts significantly milder side effects and is most unlikely to produce many of the serious side effects associated with aspirin and other NSAIDs. Paracetamol is rapidly and completely absorbed from the GIT following oral administration and from the rectum after rectal administration. The mean half-life of absorption from the upper small intestine is only 7 minutes. The drug is extensively metabolized in the liver and has a plasma half-life of 1.5 to 3.0 hours. Paracetamol is not bound to plasma proteins to any extent.Uses Of Paracetamol
Paracetamol is effective for the relief of persistent pain associated with osteoarthritis and muscle aches and pains such as backache. Paracetamol also provides effective, temporary relief of pain and discomfort associated with headache, tension headache, period pain, toothache, pain after dental procedures and cold & flu. It reduces fever. It is available in tablet, suspension, pediatric drops, and suppository form. Paracetamol is prescribed for the following symptoms.- Fever
- Migraine
- Headache
- Cold
- Duration pain
- Inflammation of the larynx
- Pain in the joints
- Ear pain
- Toothache
- Exhaustion
- Arthritis pain
- Nervous pain
- Cerebral palsy
- Menstrual pain.
Dosage and administration
Tablet for Adults:- 500 mg - One Tablet > Every 4-6 hours.
- 500 mg - Two Tablets > Every 6 hours.
- 665 mg - Two Tablets > Every 6-8 hours. (Adults & Children over 12 years).
- 3 months - 1 year: ½ to 1 teaspoonful > 3 to 4 times daily.
- 1-5 years: 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls > 3 to 4 times daily
- 6-12 years: 2 to 4 teaspoonfuls > 3 to 4 times daily.
- 0 to 3 months > 0.5 ml > 4 times daily.
- 4 to 11 months > 1.0 ml > 4 times daily.
- 1 to 2 years > 1.5 ml > 4 times daily.
- Adults: 500-1000mg > 2-3 times daily.
- Children between 6-12 years: 250-500 mg > 2-3 times daily.
- Children below 5 years: 125-250 mg > 2-3 times daily.