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GENERIC NAME: acetaminophen/ paracetamol
BRAND NAME: Tylenol/ Anacin–3/ Datril
What is Acetaminophen?
- Acetaminophen relieves pain and fever in adults and children, and it is the most widely accepted medicine for this purpose. It is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers. Acetaminophen can be purchased as an over-the-counter medicine both in retail pharmacies or grocer’s shops.
- Acetaminophen’s pain relief (analgesic) and fever relief (antipyretic) effects are similar to those of aspirin and it works in a similar, though not identical, way. Unlike aspirin, however, increasing the dose does not result in clinically useful anti-inflammatory activity. Acetaminophen is therefore not of value for reducing inflammation in the treatment of chronic rheumatic diseases as are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin. Nevertheless, Acetaminophen does provide useful pain relief and is considered the first line treatment in osteoarthritis.
How to Take Acetaminophen?
- Acetaminophen comes as a tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, liquid, drops, and granules (to be dissolved in water) to take by mouth and a suppository to use rectally. As to the dosage, follow the directions on the pack carefully. Do not take more or less of it nor take it more often than recommended.
- In adults, the normal prescribed dosage is two 500mg tablets every four to six hours, not exceeding eight tablets (4gms) in any 24 hour period. This dosage may be continued for several days. If pain relief is required for a longer period it should be under the supervision of a doctor.
- In general, children's dosages are based on a single dose of 10mg Acetaminophen per kilogram bodyweight, which can be repeated 4-6 hourly, not exceeding four doses per 24 hours.
- If, in a hospital setting, a higher dosage is considered desirable it is the responsibility of the prescribing physician. As there is no clear threshold at which toxicity may occur in an individual patient, it has been recommended that where a higher dosage is prescribed for an extended period, liver function should be monitored.
What are the Side Effects of Acetaminophen?
- Virtually none if taken in proper dosage. Research shows that the common threshold for liver damage to occur from a single paracetamol overdose is 15 gms (30 tablets). It is important that if a paracetamol overdose is suspected, hospital treatment is sought without delay.
- There are often no symptoms in the first 24 hours following overdose, although there may be mild nausea and vomiting. In a large overdose liver function deteriorates leading to jaundice, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Death is rare but when it occurs it is due to liver failure.
Warnings and precautions before taking Acetaminophen:
- More than 100 products contain Acetaminophen. If several similar products are consumed at a time, a person may inadvertently take too much acetaminophen. Many preparations intended for use in children are available in liquid, tablet, and capsule form, and a parent may try several preparations simultaneously or within several hours, not realizing they all contain Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen usually is a very safe drug, but it is not harmless. But to cause poisoning, several times the recommended dose of Acetaminophen must be taken.
- Use Acetaminophen for up to 3 days for fever or up to 10 days for pain (or up to 5 days to treat a child's pain). If the symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse, stop using Acetaminophen and see a doctor.
- The overdose threshold may be lowered in a person who is an alcoholic or is seriously undernourished. Therefore, avoid alcohol during treatment with Acetaminophen.
What to do if you take overdose of Acetaminophen?
- Treatment of a serious Acetaminophen overdose is mainly by administration of an antidote which can prevent the toxic effects of the overdose. This must be done early, ideally within 12 hours of the overdose although it can still be beneficial up to 24 hours or even later. Treatment must be supervised in a hospital.
What to do if you take missed dose of Acetaminophen?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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