Means for relieving fever and eliminating pain should be present in every family medicine cabinet. After all, you never know what time a person can feel unwell. One of the most popular medicines with a similar effect is Paracetamol. The action, application and reviews of the tool will be presented to your attention in the article. You will learn about the features of using the medicine and can familiarize yourself with its main forms.
Description of the medication
What does Paracetamol give? The effect of the medication is due to its components. At the moment, the most popular tablet form. You can also buy the composition in capsules with a gelatin shell. The medication is made in the form of a sweet suspension, powder for the preparation of medicinal tea. The tool may also have the form of rectal suppositories.
The active substance of the drug is the eponymous component - paracetamol. In tablets, rectal suppositories and a suspension of additional medications are not found. While tea powder can contain antiviral and vitamin supplements. The medicine "Paracetamol" is available in a dosage of 100, 200, 375 and 500 milligrams. Depending on the age and symptoms of the disease, it is worth choosing an individual treatment regimen.
"Paracetamol": mechanism of action
You already know that the medicine has an antipyretic effect. It is to lower the temperature that it is used most often. The composition is also recognized as a good painkiller. In addition, the drug "Paracetamol" has an anti-inflammatory effect. However, it is very weak. If it is necessary to act on the focus of inflammation, it makes sense to choose other drugs.
The composition works primarily in the hypothalamus. Moreover, the method of its use and absorption is absolutely unimportant. The drug inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, as a result of which the disturbing pain symptoms and fever are eliminated. The medication "Paracetamol" begins its action in the small intestine. This is where the main absorption of the drug occurs. Most of the drug substance is excreted through the liver.
Indications for use
In what situations is it necessary to use the drug "Paracetamol"? The effect of the described medication will be relevant for any type of fever and the development of pain. The annotation indicates such indications for use:
- viral and bacterial diseases, colds;
- genital tract infections (in complex therapy);
- headaches and migraines (at the beginning of its manifestation);
- joint and muscle pain;
- toothache, myalgia, osteochondrosis;
- infectious and inflammatory diseases;
- febrile conditions of various etiologies in children and adults;
- periodic pain in women and so on.
It is worth noting that the medicine is not used for prevention, it does not affect the duration and course of the disease. The action of "Paracetamol" on the body is extremely symptomatic.
When you can not apply the composition?
Like many other medicines, the action of Paracetamol has its limitations and prohibitions. All of them are prescribed in the instructions for use. That is why it is worth carefully studying the annotation before using the drug.
It is forbidden to use the medicine with hypersensitivity to its components. Do not take the medication orally with erosion or stomach ulcers. The composition is not recommended for exacerbation of bronchial asthma, nasal polyposis. If there is a history of intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid, then it is better to abandon such treatment in favor of other drugs. Severe renal and hepatic insufficiency is a contraindication to the use of the medication. If there is bleeding in the intestines of an unclear genesis, then it is also forbidden to use the medicine.
With extreme caution, the composition is prescribed for kidney damage, heart failure. With a disease of the stomach, it is worth using a medication in the form of rectal suppositories. The composition must be carefully used for alcoholism and diabetes.
Features of the use of the drug
The action of Paracetamol tablets will be effective only with the right dosage. That is why it is worth individually selecting a drug. The duration of use depends on the symptoms. It is not recommended to use the composition for more than three days in order to reduce body temperature. The drug can be used for five days if necessary to eliminate the pain syndrome. If after the specified time the symptoms persist, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
For adult patients and children with a body weight of 60 kg or more, the drug is prescribed at a dose of 500 mg. In this case, you must take into account your dosage of the drug. If there are 200 mg tablets, then you need to drink 2.5 pills. When using a suspension of 100 mg / 5 ml, 25 ml should be taken. Be sure to pre-calculate your portion. In one day, you can take the medicine up to 4 times with a break of 6 hours.
Use in children
The medicine "Paracetamol", the duration of which is 6-8 hours, is prescribed to children from the age of three months. Moreover, the peculiarity of use is that the desired dose is calculated based on the weight of the baby. For every kilogram of a child’s body weight, 10 to 15 mg of paracetamol should be given.
Thus, if your child weighs 15 kilograms, then he can be given from 150 to 225 mg. Remember to keep track of your portion. Babies are usually prescribed a medicine in the form of a suspension or rectal suppositories. Tablets are prescribed to older children. However, if you have nothing at hand except capsules, then you can give the baby and them. However, before this, the composition is crushed and dissolved in clean drinking water.
Features of use in expectant mothers
You already know what action “Paracetamol" has. It anesthetizes and lowers temperature. There are situations when such assistance is necessary for pregnant women. As you know, many medicines cannot be used during this period, because they can have a negative effect on the developing fetus. However, doctors report that Paracetamol is the safest. That is why, if necessary, antipyretic therapy during pregnancy, it is he who is recommended.
Doctors say that future mothers can use the drug in the minimum dosage. Take 100 mg of the medicine first. If such a portion helps, then increase it is not worth it. Thus, you will protect your baby from the teratogenic effects of the drug.
"Paracetamol": side effects and the likelihood of their occurrence
Medication can sometimes cause negative reactions. If they appear, be sure to consult a specialist for advice. If necessary, the doctor will cancel this drug or replace it with an alternative.
The most common adverse reaction is allergy. It is manifested by oud, a rash on the skin and urticaria. Abdominal pain, nausea are also possible. With prolonged and excessive use, liver failure may occur.
An overdose of the medication can lead to severe renal failure. There is evidence that the use of 40 tablets at a time causes death. However, such information is refuted by many manufacturers and specialists.
Drug Reviews
Consumers report that Paracetamol causes side effects extremely rarely. Subject to dosage and dosage regimen, the composition is well tolerated. Despite its low cost, the medicine is very effective. So, the average price of tablets is 5-10 rubles. Rectal suppositories will cost you about 40 rubles. A suspension for oral administration is a little more expensive higher and depends on the manufacturer of the drug.
The medication quickly begins its action. Already after 10-15 minutes there is a decrease in pain. If it is necessary to eliminate the fever, the temperature begins to fall after 20-30 minutes. There are good reviews about the duration of the composition. The medication is valid from 6 to 8 hours. In some situations, repeated use is not required. The composition is preferable to take before bedtime. This is reported by patients. The medicine in this case works throughout the night, which makes it possible to sleep peacefully. This is especially true in young children who do not tolerate pain and temperature.
Little conclusion
You have learned some information about all the familiar antipyretic drug Paracetamol. It is worth recalling that the medicine should not be used together with alcohol. In this case, there is a strong hepatotoxic effect, which can lead to the destruction of the liver. Drinking alcohol is allowed only after the complete removal of the drug from the body, which is approximately 8 hours from the last dose. Follow the instructions and be healthy!