Paracetamol

Paracetamol is anti-pyretic (brings fever down) and analgesic (reduces pain).

It is not truly a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs).

Paracetamol is missing one of the important properties of NSAID which is, anti-inflammatory.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are,

- Antipyretic (drugs that reduce fever eg. ibuprofen and aspirin)

- Anti-inflammation (eg. ibuprofen and aspirin)

- Analgesic (drugs that reduce pain or pain killer)

Side effects

The main attraction of paracetamol is that it has few side effects.

But, prolong consumption of paracetamol may cause kidney or liver damage.

Chronic users in high quantities of paracetamol may leads to higher risk of developing blood cancer.

A combination of paracetamol and alcohol can be fatal.

You may die from liver failure.

Keeping paracetamol at home, brand name like “Panadol” is common.

It is such a popular pain killer that almost every household keep it.

Usage

Paracetamol is a popular medication for common cold and flu.

And is commonly used to relief headaches and minor aches and also pains, it is a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu remedies.

Paracetamol does not cure you from your cold or flu.

It merely takes the symptoms away making you feel a little bit better.

Dosage

For adults, the maximum recommended daily dosage is 4 gram.

1 gram equal to 2 tablets, that means 2 tablets every six hours.

Do not take more than 8 tablets per day.

Many people are known to always carry with them paracetamol or “panadol”, to be popped one when they feel a slight headache or stressed out.

They will become addicted before they realise it.

Because of the possible serious side-effects, care must be taken against indiscriminate intake of paracetamol.

Remember that paracetamol side-effects are few, but it can be fatal.

Posted by: Mo Salle

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