Paracetamol is a drug used primarily for mild to moderate pain, cold symptoms, and to reduce fever. Paracetamol is used both as a single drug and in combination with other drugs.
What is acetaminophen?
Paracetamol is a drug used primarily for mild to moderate pain, cold symptoms, and to lower fever. The analgesic and antipyretic drug paracetamol was introduced in 1950 and is one of the most common and indispensable painkillers. Paracetamol is considered to be highly effective and is available in Germany as a monopreparation without prescription in pharmacies. Only combination preparations containing codeine or acetylsalicylic acid, for example, are subject to prescription. The analgesic is classified by the World Health Organization as an essential medicine, and the WHO list has included acetaminophen since 1977.
Medical effect and application
Paracetamol finds medical application in various clinical pictures. The active ingredient is among the first remedies of choice for a wide variety of pain complaints, such as headache,pain in the limbs, period pain, toothache but also sunburn and can also be used to a certain extent for migraine. In the case of migraine, however, a combination with acetylsalicylic acid and caffeine is recommended, since the effectiveness is increased by the interaction. For moderately severe to severe pain, a combination with codeine and tramadol is recommended. Paracetamol is also used in the treatment of various colds. Paracetamol is an ingredient in many flu remedies, cough expectorants and fever-reducing medicines. During pregnancy, paracetamol should not be taken; it is suspected that taking paracetamol during pregnancy is associated with subsequent asthma in the child. However, breastfeeding, in combination with acetaminophen, is considered safe. Paracetamol is usually taken orally, but can also be administered rectally and intravenously. In adults, paracetamol is dosed according to body weight. Approximately 10-15 mg is taken orally as a single dose per kg of body weight. Up to four single doses of paracetamol may be taken per day.
Interactions
Paracetamol should never be combined with alcohol. Just like the combined use of certain sleeping pills and antiepileptic drugs, the simultaneous intake of alcohol leads to an increase in the breakdown of paracetamol to a toxic metabolite. Thus, even small doses of paracetamol can cause serious liver damage. When the broad-spectrum antibiotic chloramphenicol is administered at the same time, paracetamol delays the breakdown of the antibiotic and thus makes its active ingredient more toxic. AIDS patients taking the drug zidovudine should use acetaminophen only after consulting a physician, since acetaminophen may increase certain side effects of the drug. In the main, however, acetaminophen is considered a drug that rarely adversely affects other agents. As with any other medication, when in doubt, consult a physician or pharmacist about acetaminophen.
Risks and side effects
Paracetamol is considered a very well-tolerated drug, with side effects occurring only rarely as long as it is taken as directed. Drug-induced headache is relatively common. Regular use of acetaminophen leads to severe headache attacks when suddenly discontinued; this is common in migraine patients who cannot be adjusted to triptans. Rare and very rare side effects include liver enzymes, severe blood count changes, allergic reactions such as hives, and spasm of the respiratory muscles. Furthermore, paracetamol is suspected of increasing the risk of asthma and the likelihood of conjunctivitis when used frequently in childhood. Frequent skin inflammation and inflammation of the nasal mucosa are also associated with the use of paracetamol in childhood.
