Paracetamol

Non-narcotic Analgesic · Para-aminophenol derivative

Indications

For the treatment of mild to moderate pain & as antipyretics. COVID-19.

Dosage

Adults: ORAL: Repeat every four hr if necessary up to max 4 doses in 24 hr. Single dose of 500 mg to 1000 mg which may be repeated every 4 hr, max 4000 mg/day. RECTAL: 500-1000 mg every 4-6 hr, max 4 gm/day. INJECTION: 1 amp (2 mL) IM 6 hourly. IV infusion over 15 min: Over 50 kg body-weight, 1 gm every 4-6 hr, max 4 gm daily. Children: Not recommended for use of oral dosage form under 2 mth; rectal dosage form under 3 mth; IV infusion in preterm neonates. ORAL: Pain; pyrexia with discomfort: 2-3 mth, 30-60 mg every 8 hr as necessary, max 60 mg/kg daily in divided doses; 3-6 mth, 60 mg every 4-6 hr, max 4 doses/day; 6 mth-2 yr, 120 mg every 4-6 hr, max 4 doses/day; 2-4 yr, 180 mg every 4-6 hr, max 4 doses/day; 4-6 yr, 240 mg every 4-6 hr, max 4 doses/day; 6-8 yr, 240-250 mg every 4-6 hr, max 4 doses/day; 8-10 yr, 360-375 mg every 4-6 hr, max 4 doses/day; 10-12 yr, 480-500 mg every 4-6…

Administration

IV Inj 10 mg/mL: By IV infusion over 15 min. Stability: Store intact vial at room temperature 20°C-25°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Use within 6 hours of opening vial or transferring to another container.

Adverse Effects

Cyanosis, skin eruptions, hypoglycaemia, CNS stimulations. Inj: Hypotension, flushing and tachycardia.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: No evidence of risk in humans. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Precautions: Impaired hepatic or renal function, alcoholism. Chronic malnutrition, dehydration, wt <50 Kg, G6PD deficiency, haemolytic anaemia. Risk of serious skin reactions (discontinue).

Interactions

Drugs which delay gastric emptying (e.g. anticholinergics, narcotics). Carbamazepine, metoclopramide, domperidone, colestyramine, oral anticoagulants, busulfan, hepatotoxic drugs, zidovudine, alcohol.

Advice to Patient

Take oral form with or without meals. Tablets may be crushed or swallowed whole. Contact prescriber if there is unusual bleeding or bruising (blood in urine, mouth or stool), change in elimination pattern, change in colour of urine or stool, unusual weakness and fatigue. Do not take other OTC preparations containing paracetamol during therapy. Avoid or limit alcohol intake to < 3 drinks per day during therapy. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber.

Pharmacokinetics

Onset of action: Oral: <1 hr. IV: Analgesia: 5-10 min. Antipyretic: Within 30 min. Peak effect: IV: Analgesic: 1 hr. Duration: IV, Oral: Analgesia: 4-6 hrs. IV: Antipyretic: =6 hrs. Absorption: Primarily absorbed in small intestine, minimal absorption from stomach (varies by dosage form). Metabolism: Hepatic. Half-life elimination: Neonates: 7 hrs. Infants: Approx. 4 hrs. Children: 3 hrs. Adolescents: Approx. 3 hrs. Adults: Approx. 2 hrs. CrCl<30 mL/min: 2-5.3 hrs. Time to peak, serum: Immediate release: 10-60 min. IV: 15 min. Excretion: Urine.

Brands with this active ingredient

• Acepol
• Acetadol
• Acetamol
• Acetamol Infusion
• Acetofin
• Acetosol
• Acetra
• Actifed P
• Activol Plus
• Advil
• Afeb
• Aksopol
• Albrogesic
• Amole
• Amole Power

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.