Clinical use of paracetamol (KEY IJP************789)

• Mayurgiri R. Gauswami ,Shweta V. Sankhat,Sakshi M. Rathod,Ruhin M. Khokhar ,Jinal R. Kantariya,Vruti M. Lumbhani

Abstract

Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is a commonly used pain reliever and fever reducer. One of its main advantages is that it can be taken in different ways orally (by mouth), intravenously (through a vein), or rectally (via the rectum). When taken orally or intravenously, it's absorbed relatively quickly, but when taken rectally, absorption is slower and less predictable.The good thing about paracetamol is that its effects are consistent and predictable, regardless of the dose or how often it's taken. This means that whether you take a small or large dose, or if you take it regularly, its effectiveness remains the same.Paracetamol has been shown to work well for various types of pain, whether it's acute (like a headache or toothache) or chronic (lasting a long time). For adults, the recommended dose is usually 1 gram (1000 milligrams), and the maximum amount you can take in a day is 4 grams. Its pain-relieving effects typically last around 6 hours.Effervescent tablets, which dissolve in water, can be absorbed faster than regular tablets, leading to quicker pain relief. However, it's important to note that the level of paracetamol in the blood doesn't directly correlate with its pain-relieving or fever-reducing effects.Paracetamol is often the preferred pain reliever for elderly people or those with kidney problems, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women. It's generally safe to use in these groups, and usually, there's no need to adjust the dosage, even though their bodies might clear it more slowly.Paracetamol is metabolized mainly in the liver and doesn't bind strongly to proteins in the blood. This means it's less likely to interact with other drugs, making it a safer option in combination with other medications, including some NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).When given alongside traditional NSAIDs, paracetamol can enhance pain relief or allow for lower doses of NSAIDs to be used.For children, determining the right dose of paracetamol can be trickier because it depends on their age and how their body processes the drug. A common guideline is to give 15 milligrams of paracetamol per kilogram of body weight every 4 hours, up to a maximum of 60 milligrams per kilogram per day, to achieve the desired pain relief or fever reduction.