Paracetamol
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Paracetamol is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers. It relieves pain in mild arthritis but has no effect on the underlying inflammation and swelling of the joint.. Its generally available as 500mg. Acts by blocking an enzyme required for the transformation of pain signal. The body responds in injury by producing prostaglandins paracetomol acts to inhibit enzyme (cyclo-oxygenease) involves in prostaglandin production
Metabolism of Paracetamol
Side Effects of Paracetomol
Along with its needed effects, acetaminophen (the active ingredient contained in Paracetamol) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Rare
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Paracetamol is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers. It relieves pain in mild arthritis but has no effect on the underlying inflammation and swelling of the joint.. Its generally available as 500mg. Acts by blocking an enzyme required for the transformation of pain signal. The body responds in injury by producing prostaglandins paracetomol acts to inhibit enzyme (cyclo-oxygenease) involves in prostaglandin production
Metabolism of Paracetamol
- its absorbed very rapidly into the blood
- Peak serum levels usually occur 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion
- Paracetamol is mainly metabolized by the liver
- About 5% of the dose is excreted and unchanged
- Approximately 90% is directly combined with glucuroideane sulphate
- However a further 5% is oxidised to benzoquinoneimine , it can be quite dangerous if taken as an over dose.
- Then combined with GSH
- Its then metabolized on to cysteine and mercapturate compounds which are subsequently excreted.
- The intermediate benzoquinoneimine is highly toxix to the liver
- Benzoquinoneimine is a highly reactive substance that normally combines to GSH
- Combination of benzoquinoneimine with the GSH normally prevents its toxic activity
- However the dangers arise with overdoses of paracetamol (30 tablets) where high levels of benzoquinoneimine causes the depletion of GSH stores in the liver
- The free benzoquinoneimine attaches to the liver protein and causes fatal liver injury
- Overdoses can be treated with an antidote intravenous n acetylcystine
- The antidote helps the liver to make GSH for combination with benzoquinoneimine
Side Effects of Paracetomol
Along with its needed effects, acetaminophen (the active ingredient contained in Paracetamol) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Rare
- Bloody or black, tarry stools
- bloody or cloudy urine
- fever with or without chills (not present before treatment and not caused by the condition being treated)
- pain in the lower back and/or side (severe and/or sharp)
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- skin rash, hives, or itching
- sore throat (not present before treatment and not caused by the condition being treated)
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- sudden decrease in the amount of urine
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- yellow eyes or skin
- Diarrhea
- increased sweating
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- stomach cramps or pain
- swelling, pain, or tenderness in the upper abdomen or stomach area