paracetamol

what is the legal classification for paracetamol?

• GSL - max. 16 tablets per pack (max. 2 packs per transaction)

• P - up to 100 tablets per pack

what are the most common brand names for paracetamol?

• panadol

• medinol

• hedex

• disprol

• calpol

what is the usual adult dose for paracetamol?

one-two 500mg tablets at a time, up to four times in 24 hours (max dose 4g/day)

what indications is paracetamol used to treat?

• mild-to-moderate pain

• pyrexia

• acute migraine

what are the cautions for paracetamol?

• low body weight

• co-administration of enzyme-inducing antiepileptic medications may increase toxicity

• long-term use

• chronic alcohol consumption

what advice would you give to a patient taking paracetamol?

• may take up to an hour to work

• avoid other medications containing paracetamol

• safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding at recommended doses

• it may not be safe to drink alcohol with paracetamol if you have certain conditions, such as liver problems

describe the pharmacology of paracetamol

• non-opiod analgesic and antipyretic

• inhibits central cyclo-oxygenase (COX) activity, decreasing the synthesis of prostaglandins in the brain and spinal cord

• this raises the pain threshold

• also acts on the hypothalamic heat-regulating centre, decreasing prostaglandin E2 production, lowering body temperature by promoting heat loss

what are the important side-effects of paracetamol?

• hepatotoxicity and renal damage in excessive doses

• hypersensitivity reactions (rash, urticaria)

• rare haematological effects

what are the important drug interactions for paracetamol?

• enzyme inducers (phenytoin, phenobarbital, St. John’s wort, rifampicin) - increased hepatotoxicity (NAPQI)

• chronic alcohol use - increased hepatotoxicity

• warfarin in prolonged use - increased bleeding risk

• other hepatotoxic drugs

what medicinal forms is paracetamol available in?

• oral tablet, caosule, suspension, solution

• effervescent tablet, orodispersible tablet

• solution for infusion

• suppository