Medicines/Generics/Paracetamol

Paracetamol

Generic medicine reference

Not yet clinically reviewed

This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.

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Overview

Paracetamol (Panadol, Calpol, Alvedon) is an analgesic and antipyretic drug that is used to temporarily relieve mild-to-moderate pain and fever. It is commonly included as an ingredient in cold and flu medications and is also used on its own. Paracetamol is exactly the same drug as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Paracetamol is the drug's name assigned using the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) generic name system. Paracetamol is the name used for the drug in places such as Europe, Australia, New Zealand and India. Acetaminophen is the generic name assigned using the United States Adopted Names (USAN) system. Acetaminophen is the name used in countries such as the US, Canada and Japan. Usually the INN and USAN generic names for a drug are the same and don't differ between countries. It is not clear exactly how paracetamol works. However, it is thought to work by blocking chemical messengers in the brain that let us know when we're in pain and by affecting the chemical messengers that regulate our body temperature. The evidence suggests that paracetamol inhibits the production of prostaglandins, which are made by the body to deal with illness and injury. It's also thought to act on the serotonergic, opioid, nitric oxide and cannabinoid pathways. Paracetamol was first made in 1878, but only became more widely used in the 1950s. Today paracetamol is one of the most widely used painkillers in the world. Branded and generic versions of this drug are available.

Indications

Contraindications

Do not take medications containing paracetamol if you are allergic to it or any of the other ingredients in the paracetamol product you are taking.

Side Effects

Serious side effects of paracetamol include: Allergic reactions, which may be severe and include: Skin rashes, itching, or hives Swelling of the throat, tongu,e or face Shortness of breath or wheezing Skin rash or peeling, or mouth ulcers Breathing problems. This is more likely if you have experienced them before when taking other painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin Unexplained bruising or bleeding, or becoming unusually tired. Getting more infections than usual. Liver problems. Nausea, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite, and yellowing of the eyes and skin can occur If you get any of the rare side effects listed above, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately. Common side effects of paracetamol suppositories include: Redness or soreness in or around the rectum Everyday, long-term use (several months or more) of paracetamol can cause liver or kidney damage. People taking this medication in the usual way for shorter periods of time have not had these problems. These are not all of the possible side effects of this medication. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is found in many different OTC cold and flu medications. Do not take paracetamol if you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription medications containing paracetamol or acetaminophen.

High Risk Groups

Adult Dosage

500 to 1000 mg (750 (750)) 6 hourly PO — Maximum adult dose is 4 g/day in divided doses (i.e. 1g every 6 hourly) Scraped Dose — Always use exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you to Always read the instructions on your medication before taking it Do not take more than the recommended dose. Check the instructions for the paracetamol product you have. The strength and recommended dose among for different paracetamol-containing products. Paracetamol may be taken every 4 to 6 hours. Leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not take more than four doses in 24 hours. Do not take for more than 3 days, unless your doctor tells you to Contact your healthcare professional if your symptoms get worse or do not improve

Child Dosage

10 to 15 mg/kg/dose (12 (12.5)) 6 hourly Oral —

Neonatal Dosage

12 mg/kg (12 (12)) 6 hourly Oral — -

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you take, including prescription and OTC medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements before taking this medication. Especially tell your doctor if you take: Blood thinning medications (anticoagulants) such as warfarin and you need to take a pain reliever daily. Occasional doses of paracetamol can be taken with anticoagulants Medications to help relieve nausea (metoclopramide or domperidone) Medications to treat high cholesterol (cholestyramine) Medications to treat epilepsy (lamotrigine) Medications to treat tuberculosis (isoniazide) Medication to treat fever or mild pain (aspirin, salicylamide) Barbiturate and tricyclic antidepressants to treat depression (amitriptyline) A medication to treat gout called probenecid A medication used to treat bacterial infections called chloramphenicol A medication used in HIV infections and AIDS called zidovudine Flucloxacillin (antibiotic), due to a serious risk of blood and fluid abnormality (high anion gap metabolic acidosis) that must have urgent treatment, and which may occur particularly in case of severe renal impairment, sepsis (when bacteria and their toxins circulate in the blood leading to organ damage), malnutrition, chronic alcoholism, and if the maximum daily doses of paracetamol are used. Paracetamol may affect the results of laboratory tests for uric acid and blood sugar levels. Paracetamol can be taken with oral contraceptives, but it may not work as well to lower your pain or fever.

Storage

tab,syr,susp Store in a well closed container, Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight and Moisture.

Available Brands in Pakistan

Showing the first 200 of 258 active brands alphabetically. Use Medicine Search to browse further.

Paracetamol

Available Brands in Pakistan

ACEPOL

ACETADOL

ACETAGET

ACETOFEINE

ACETOFIN

ACETOSOL

ACTIFED-P

ADVIL

ADVIMOL

AKSOPOL

ALIMOL

AMOLE

AMOLE FORTE

AMOLE PAEDATRIC

AMOLE Q.S.

AMPARCET

AMPOL

AMSOL

AMSOL-C

ANAMOL

ANAPYRIN

ASHMOL

ASKPROL

ASKPROL

ASKPROL C

ASTADOL

BAMOL

BAXTEROL

BENCITAMOL

BOFALGAN

BUSCOMED

BUSCOPAN PLUS

CALPOL

CALPOL-6 PLUS

CALPOL PAEDIATRIC

CAMPOL

CARAPOL

C.C.DON PLAIN

CEDROX BD

CELSIUS

CEPMOL

CEPOL

CETALIX

CETAPOL

CHIKYMOL

CHILDREN'S

CHILPOL

COLBEX

COLD FREE

DANIDOL

DEEPOL

DELMOL

DELMOL FORTE

DETAMOL

DISPROL

DISPROL PAEDIATRIC

E-POL 6 PLUS

ESTADOL

ETAMOL

EVERPOL

EXIDOL

FALGAN

FARAMOL

FEBRIDOL

FEBRINOL

FEBROL

FEDRAMOL

FENMOL

FENMOL-6 PLUS

FENMOL CF

FEVADEINE

FEVADOL

FEVAMOL

FEVASAF

FEVERAL

FEVERCARE

FEVERCARE PEADS

FEVEREN