This is an automatically translated article.
The article was professionally consulted by Pharmacist, Dr. Phan Quynh Lan - Director of Pharmacy Department of Vinmec Health System - Head of Pharmacy Department of Vinmec Times City International Hospital.
Paracetamol is a pain reliever and fever reducer currently in common use, highly effective if used in the right dose and time. However, if not used properly, it can have adverse effects on human health. The following article would like to share some notes when using Paracetamol.
1. Paracetamol – Characteristics and effects
Paracetamol is a drug commonly prepared in the form of tablets or effervescent tablets, marketed under many different trade names. This is a good pain reliever with few side effects and is commonly used in the treatment of mild to moderate pain and fever.
However, due to the widespread use of Paracetamol along with a lack of awareness about the combination of drugs containing the active ingredient Paracetamol, leading to drug overdose, causing unwanted side effects. In the case of painkillers Paracetamol ; Overdosage of the drug will lead to the risk of hepatotoxicity, more severe cases can cause liver necrosis or even death.
The cause of liver toxicity when using Paracetamol overdose is because when the drug is taken orally, the drug will be absorbed into the blood and metabolized by the liver in many forms, of which about 4% is converted to N-acetyl benzoquinonimin - the substance that causes liver toxicity. harmful to the liver. Therefore, the amount of Paracetamol is too large, leading to a lack of glutathione to respond, causing toxic substances in the liver to accumulate, causing damage to the liver. Most of the time, Paracetamol is metabolized in the liver to a water-soluble substance and excreted from the body through urine.
Paracetamol is also recommended for pregnant women, if used in excess, it can be dangerous to the fetus because this drug can penetrate through the placenta.
In the case of the elderly, if using the drug for a long time, it may cause fatigue because Paracetamol loses hemoglobin that carries oxygen in the blood.
In addition, research by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that the use of Paracetamol can cause some harmful complications for the skin such as peeling, epidermal necrosis.
Therefore, in order to use the drug with high efficiency in a short time, we should not use Paracetamol in high doses, but should combine it with other drugs, both increasing the effectiveness of pain relief and avoiding the danger. risk of harm to health due to overdose.
Normally, NAPQI is attached to glutathione of the liver and is not toxic
See also: Classification and use of antipyretic drugs in children
Sử dụng Paracetamol quá liều có thể gây tổn thương gan
2. Drugs that can be combined and should be avoided in combination with Paracetamol
Some drugs are often combined with Paracetamol in treatment
Combine Paracetamol with Ibuprofen in case of pain associated with inflammation. Combine Paracetamol with Codeine in case of postoperative pain relief, moderate pain or flu accompanied by cough. Combining Paracetamol with Chlorpheniramine in the treatment of colds and flu. Some drugs should be avoided in combination with Paracetamol
Paracetamol used with alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer or combined with some anticonvulsants can cause liver damage. Paracetamol used with some antihypertensive drugs can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure or hypothermia when combined with phenothiazines.
3. Things to note when using Paracetamol
Cần chú ý khi sử dụng thuốc Paracetamol
Read the instructions for use carefully before taking the medicine. Do not use the drug when there is no pain, high fever over 38.5 degrees. Paracetamol is contraindicated for pain relief for more than 10 days for adults and 5 days for children, unless directed by a doctor. In case of headache, toothache, joint pain, pain due to fall, injury... but it is necessary to take Paracetamol to relieve pain, it should be noted that Paracetamol only works after taking it for 15-30 minutes and has maximum effect. 3 to 4 hours max. Therefore, the dose should be administered at least 4 hours apart. Dosage for adults is not more than 10mg/kg and not more than 5mg/kg for children at each dose. It is strictly forbidden to drink beer and alcohol during the use of Paracetamol. Contraindicated to use Paracetamol for those who are sensitive to the components of the drug; drunker; people with diseases related to the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver; anemia or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Paracetamol can be used on a slow-release mechanism to prolong its effects and minimize the risk of liver damage. Using Paracetamol with meals or food may affect the absorption of the drug. Therefore, the drug should be taken 30 minutes to 1 hour after meals. Taking the medicine with warm water will increase the absorption of the medicine. In summary, Paracetamo l is a popular pain reliever and fever reducer, easy to use and highly effective. However, we still need to be cautious in using the drug to bring about positive results, while minimizing the risk of overdose, leading to dangerous complications for the body such as hepatitis, necrosis. liver, increasing the risk of kidney disease.
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