QAS Drug Therapy Guidelines (Paracetamol)

Paracetamol Drug class

Analgesic and Antipyretic

Paracetamol Metabolism and Excretion

Liver and Kidneys

Paracetamol Indications

Mild to moderate pain
Fever (causing distress)

Paracetamol Contraindications

Allergy/ADR
Patients less than 1 month of age

Paracetamol Precautions

Hepatic dysfunction

Paracetamol Side effects

Nausea

Paracetamol Presentations

Tablet, 500mg
Elixir, 120mg/5ml

Paracetamol Onset

10-60 minutes

Paracetamol Duration

4 hours

Paracetamol Half life

Approximately 2 hours

Adult Paracetamol Dosage for mild to moderate pain and Fever causing distress

0.5-1g
Must not be administered within 4 hours of previous paracetamol administration
Repeated every 4 hours
Total max dose 4g in 24 hours.

Paediatric Paracetamol Dosage for mild to moderate pain and Fever causing distress

≥ 1 month - 15mg/kg
Single maximum dose 1g
Must not be administrated within 4 hours of previous paracetamol administration.