Prescription Drugs 2 Go

About the Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is also known as Tylenol or Paracetamol is one of the most widely used pain relievers and fever reducers. Due to its content –acetyle-para-aminophenol, it is also abbreviated as APAP.

How it must be taken

• Acetaminophen is often sold simply over the counter without a prescription.
• However the dosage of the drug should be kept in mind.
• Overdoses above 100mg in a single dose, or 4000 mg for an adult in a day, can cause harm to the liver.
• The risk of liver damage is higher if Acetaminophen is consumed by people who have a high consumption of alcohol. In countries like New Zealand, Australia and the United States several cases of liver failure have even been noted due to the overdose of Acetaminophen.
• Acetaminophen should not be taken for more than ten days without a doctor’s advice and in case of children under the age of three; it should not be administered at all without consulting a doctor.

What it is used to cure

• Acetaminophen can be used to cure mild aches like headaches and backaches
• The more severe category of pain like that during cancer or the pain felt by a patient after an operation.
• It is a common element used in medication of cold, flu and fever.

What are its side effects?

In normal circumstances the use of Acetaminophen will not cause any major side effects. However there might in some rare cases be symptoms like bleeding, persistent sore throat, easily getting bruised or other signs of allergy. Yellowing of eye and skin, breathing trouble, rash, itching, nausea, fatigue or stomach pain are some of the other symptoms caused by the overdose of Acetaminophen. In case of detecting such symptoms a doctor must be consulted immediately.

Precautions that must be taken

In case the patient has a history of allergies, he should tell the doctor about these allergies before taking Acetaminophen. According to most studies Acetaminophen is safe for consumption of pregnant women, but it can be found in breast milk so nursing mothers are advised to avoid it.

Forms of the Actaminophen

Acetaminophen is available in different forms- a capsule, a tablet, intravenous or intramuscular form, or even as a liquid suspension.

How it acts

• Acetaminophen is metabolised in the liver.
• It is usually called a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID), but it has a limited anti inflammatory action. It acts of cyclooxygenase, which is an enzyme producing prostaglandins- important cause of pain, inflammation and fever.

Conclusion

It is often used for purposes similar to aspirin. But due to its limited action of anti inflammatory symptoms, it is used more widely for pain and fever. Aspirin had pro clotting chemicals in it and inhibits cyclooxygenase, whereas Acetaminophen just reduces its production. Acetaminophen acts via two different pathways.

But it still remains one of the most widely used and trusted medication for fever and a pain reliever and is highly recommended by doctors.