Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is a widely used analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). It is commonly administered to relieve mild to moderate pain and reduce fever¹². Here’s more detail about paracetamol:

1. Uses and Dosage:

   • It is used to treat conditions such as headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, backaches, toothaches, colds, and fevers¹.
   • The standard dose for adults is usually 500-1000 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed, with a maximum daily dose of 4000 mg to avoid toxicity².
   • For children, the dose is typically adjusted according to body weight².

2. Mechanism of Action:

   • The exact mechanism of action of paracetamol is not completely understood³⁴.
   • It is known to act centrally (in the brain) to relieve pain and reduce fever.
   • It inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that promote inflammation, pain, and fever⁵³.
   • Paracetamol may also activate descending serotonergic pathways, which inhibit pain signal transmission in the central nervous system⁴.

3. Safety and Adverse Effects:

   • When taken within the recommended doses, paracetamol is generally safe with minimal side effects¹.
   • However, overdose of paracetamol can cause severe liver damage and is a leading cause of acute liver failure⁶.
   • Chronic high-dose use and risk factors like alcohol consumption can enhance the hepatotoxic potential of paracetamol⁶.

4. Availability:

   • Paracetamol is available over-the-counter in various forms, including tablets, capsules, liquid suspensions, and suppositories¹.
   • It is also a common ingredient in many cold and flu medications¹.

Footnotes

1. NHS: Paracetamol for adults ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

2. NCBI Bookshelf: Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) ↩ ↩² ↩³

3. Samir S Ayoub, "Paracetamol (acetaminophen): A familiar drug with an unexplained mechanism of action," PMC ↩ ↩²

4. Brian J Anderson, "Paracetamol (Acetaminophen): mechanisms of action," PubMed ↩ ↩²

5. Garry G Graham, "Mechanism of action of paracetamol," PubMed ↩

6. Roderick Clark, "Population prevalence of high dose paracetamol in dispensed paracetamol/opioid prescription combinations: an observational study," PMC ↩ ↩²