Understanding Paracetamol: Uses, Mechanism, and Safety Information
This chat covers paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen. Learn about its uses for pain relief and fever reduction, how it works, and safety precautions to avoid liver damage. Various forms of intake, such as tablets and syrups, are also discussed.
What is paracetamol?
Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is a widely-used over-the-counter medication for treating pain and reducing fever. It is effective for alleviating headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, backaches, toothaches, colds, and fevers1.
Paracetamol works by blocking chemical messengers in the brain that signal pain and regulate body temperature2. It is regarded as safe when taken at recommended doses, but overdosing can lead to serious liver damage3. It can be taken in various forms such as tablets, capsules, liquid syrups, powders that you mix with water, and suppositories4.
Footnotes