Means to relieve fever and eliminate pain should be present in every family first aid kit. After all, you never know at what time a person may 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 will be able to get acquainted with its main forms.
Medication description
What does the medicine "Paracetamol" give? The action of the drug is due to its components. At the moment, the most popular is the tablet form. You can also purchase the composition in capsules with a gelatin shell. The drug is produced in the form of a sweet suspension, a powder for making medicinal tea. The remedy may also be in the form of rectal suppositories.
The active substance of the drug is the component of the same name - paracetamol. In tablets, rectal suppositories and suspensions of additional medicinal productsfunds are not found. Whereas tea powder may contain antiviral and vitamin supplements. The drug "Paracetamol" is available in dosages 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 most often used to reduce temperature. The composition is also recognized as a good pain reliever. In addition, the drug "Paracetamol" has an anti-inflammatory effect. However, it is very weak. If it is necessary to act specifically on the focus of inflammation, then it makes sense to choose other drugs.
The composition works mainly in the hypothalamus. At the same time, the method of its application and absorption is absolutely unimportant. The drug inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, as a result of which disturbing pain symptoms and fever are eliminated. The drug "Paracetamol" begins its action in the small intestine. It is there that the main absorption of the drug occurs. Most of the drug is excreted through the liver.
Indications for use
In what situations is it necessary to use the drug "Paracetamol"? The action 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 andmigraine (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 effect of "Paracetamol" on the body is exclusively symptomatic.
When can not apply the composition?
Like many other medicines, the action of "Paracetamol" has its limitations and prohibitions. All of them must be prescribed in the instructions for use. That is why you should carefully study the annotation before using the drug.
It is forbidden to use the medicine in case of hypersensitivity to its components. You can 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 means. Severe renal and hepatic insufficiency is a contraindication to the use of the drug. If there is bleeding in the intestines of unknown origin, then it is also forbidden to use the medicine.
With extreme caution, the composition is prescribed for kidney damage, heart failure. With a stomach disease, it is worth using the medication in the form of rectal suppositories. The composition must be carefully used in alcoholism anddiabetes mellitus.
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 choosing the drug individually. 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 it is necessary to eliminate the pain syndrome. If after the specified time the symptoms persist, then you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
For adult patients and children weighing over 60 kilograms, the drug is prescribed at a dose of 500 mg. In this case, you need to take into account the dosage of the drug you have. 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 calculate your portion beforehand. 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. At the same time, a feature of use is that the required dose is calculated based on the weight of the baby. For every kilogram of body weight of a child, there should be 10 to 15 mg of paracetamol.
Thus, if your child weighs 15 kilograms, then he can be given from 150 to 225 mg. Remember to account for the portion you have. Babies usuallyprescribe the drug in the form of a suspension or rectal suppositories. Tablets are prescribed for older children. However, if you don’t have anything on hand other than capsules, then you can give them to the baby as well. However, before that, the composition is crushed and dissolved in clean drinking water.
Features of use in expectant mothers
You already know the effect of Paracetamol. It relieves pain and lowers the temperature. There are situations when such assistance is needed for pregnant women. As you know, many drugs cannot be used during this period, because they can have a negative effect on the developing fetus. However, doctors report that the drug "Paracetamol" is the safest. That is why, if antipyretic therapy is necessary during pregnancy, it is he who is recommended.
Doctors report that expectant mothers can use the drug at a minimum dosage. First, take 100 mg of the medicine. If such a portion helps, then you should not increase it. Thus, you will protect your baby from the teratogenic effect of the drug.
"Paracetamol": side effects and the likelihood of their occurrence
Medicine can sometimes cause negative reactions. When 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 udom, skin rash and urticaria. Abdominal pain and nausea are also possible. With prolonged and excessive use, liver failure may occur.
Overdose of medication can lead to severe kidney failure. There is evidence that the use of 40 tablets at a time causes a fatal outcome. However, such information is refuted by many manufacturers and experts.
Drug reviews
Consumers report that Paracetamol rarely causes side effects. Subject to the dosage and scheme of application, 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. The oral suspension is slightly more expensive and depends on the manufacturer of the drug.
Medicine quickly begins its action. After 10-15 minutes, there is a decrease in pain. If it is necessary to eliminate fever, the temperature begins to fall after 20-30 minutes. There are also good reviews about the duration of the composition. The medicine acts from 6 to 8 hours. In some situations, re-application is not required. It is preferable to take the composition at bedtime. Patients report it. The medicine in this case works throughout the night, which makes it possible to sleep peacefully. This is especially true for young children who do not tolerate pain and temperature.
Small conclusion
You learned someinformation about the familiar antipyretic drug Paracetamol. It is worth recalling that the medicine should not be used in conjunction with alcohol. In this case, there is a strong hepatotoxic effect, which can lead to destruction of the liver. Drinking alcoholic beverages is allowed only after the drug is completely removed from the body, which is approximately 8 hours from the last dose. Follow the instructions and stay he althy!
