An agent with antipyretic properties should always be in the medicine cabinet, especially during seasonal colds. Doctors recommend the use of pharmaceuticals with paracetamol in the composition. What is the effect of this substance, whether it can be taken by everyone, and how to use it correctly - these and many other facts in our article.

Forms of release and composition of the drug

The full name of the active substance is paraacetylaminophenol, which is exactly how it is presented in chemical nomenclature directories. In Europe and America, the name sounds like acetaminophen, or APAP for short, paracetamol is less commonly used. In the US, paracetamol is known as tylenol.

The drug from the anilide group is included in the list of vital medicines of the WHO, due to its analgesic and antipyretic properties.

In our country, paracetamol as one of the components is present in various medicines. There are also separate forms of the drug with the same name.

  • Rectal suppositories are the fastest-acting version of the drug, which, once in the rectum, is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. “Children's” suppositories (with 80, 170, 330 mg of paracetamol) and “adults” (with 0.5 or 1 g) are produced. In addition to acetaminophen, solid fats are present in candles.They provide a convenient consistency for the administration of the drug. Suppositories are placed in a package of 5 or 10 pieces.
  • "Paracetamol" in tablets is a convenient variant of the drug. There are simple (enteric) and effervescent pills. The content of the active substance varies - there are tablets with 0.2, 0.25, 0.325 and 0.5 grams of acetaminophen. Additional components are a number of other components. In the package of the drug is 10 or 20 tablets.
  • Raspberry-flavored syrup is the optimal form for the youngest patients. In addition to paracetamol, it has sugar, dyes and flavorings, which gives the medicine a good taste. This helps parents in the event of a fever in the child to give him medicine without problems. In dark bottles (50 and 100 ml) - 2.4% paraacetylaminophenol, as well as alcohol, water, riboflavin, raspberry flavor, propylene glycol, sugar and citric acid. In the package along with the liner is a dispenser-spoon for syrup.
  • The drug in the form of a suspension differs from the previous version in the absence of sugar. It is not sweet, but also suitable for children. Instead of raspberry, it contains strawberry flavoring and the corresponding dye. The percentage of active substance is the same as in syrup. Packing - in bottles of 100 and 200 ml, packed in cardboard boxes containing also instructions and dispenser.

You can use different forms of "Paracetamol", choosing the one that is most convenient in a particular situation for a certain age.

Pharmacological action and pharmacodynamics

The drug is recognized as an effective antipyretic. It acts directly on thermoregulation centers, providing a rapid decrease in temperature.

Also, acetaminophen belongs to the group of analgesics, it is able to reliably relieve acute pain of various origins. The drug inhibits the reaction of brain receptors responsible for pain.

The phenacetin derivative has anti-inflammatory characteristics, but they are not as pronounced as, for example, in medicines of the NSAID group. Therefore, it is effective only in the initial stages of the inflammatory process.

The speed of action also increases due to the fact that the active substance is very rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. After 30 minutes, a decrease in temperature and subsidence of painful sensations are observed. The maximum concentration of paracetamol, which penetrates into all tissues, is observed soon - no later than 2 hours.

90 - 95% of the substance breaks down in the liver into structural components. Metabolites are rapidly excreted by the kidneys.

What Paracetamol helps

Heat and pain accompany many diseases of various origins. The medicine is intended to relieve these unpleasant symptoms that worsen a person’s well-being.

"Paracetamol" does not cure the disease, it eliminates signs that can cause a complication of the pathology.

The medication is most often used as an ambulance with the appearance of characteristic symptoms. Also, a pharmaceutical is often used as a component of complex therapy of ailments of various origins.

The tool is used:

  • for relief of acute headache, migraine attacks;
  • with myalgia, to eliminate muscle cramps;
  • to lower the temperature in case of fever caused by infectious diseases (scarlet fever, chicken pox, tonsillitis, flu, measles, otitis media, etc.);
  • to prevent allergic reactions in children after vaccination;
  • with severe toothache, stomatitis;
  • for anesthesia after injuries, cuts, bruises, burns;
  • with symptoms of neuralgia;
  • in the treatment of Reye's syndrome associated with acute hepatic
  • insufficiency and encephalopathy;
  • with painful periods;
  • to eliminate joint pain.

To improve well-being and eliminate signs of an inflammatory process, you should not continue taking it for more than three days. In the event that the symptoms do not disappear during this time, you should contact your doctors for diagnosis and correct therapy.

How long does the antipyretic drug begin to act?

Having taken the drug, you can be sure that in a third of an hour the fever will begin to subside, and the pain will subside.

Suppositories act most quickly, since the absorption of paracetamol from the rectum into the bloodstream occurs almost instantly. The remaining forms of the drug are slightly slower than suppositories, since first you need to get the tablets or syrup into the digestive tract, and then into the bloodstream.

The greatest effect of the drug is observed after an hour and a half after the use of any form. Few analgesics can boast such effectiveness.

Instructions for use Paracetamol for adults and children

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to study in detail the rules for using the product in order to provide an effective result with the lowest possible dose.

Suspension, paracetamol syrup for children

The syrup is more convenient, it is easier to swallow by babies, does not cause rejection, as happens with tablets. Three-month-old baby can already be given such a medicine.

Dosage depends on the body weight of the child. From 10 to 15 milligrams of paracetamol per 1 kilogram of weight can be taken per day. At the same time, one cannot drink such an amount of medicine, it is divided into at least 3 doses.

To accurately measure the required dose, use a convenient spoon that is attached to the drug. It should be borne in mind that in 5 ml of syrup or suspension - 120 mg of acetaminophen.

The instruction indicates the standard daily dose for different age categories.

It should be divided into 3-4 doses with an interval of at least 4 hours:

  • babies 3 - 12 months - 2.5 - 5 ml (½ - 1 teaspoon);
  • children 1 year old - 5 years old - 5-10 ml (1 - 2 tsp);
  • 6 to 12 years — 10 to 20 ml (2 to 4 teaspoons);
  • adolescents weighing 60 kg or more - 20 - 40 ml (4 - 8 teaspoons).

Adults can also take a syrup or suspension, but this is not entirely advisable, it is better to use the drug in pills.

Paracetamol Pills

recommend taking after one and a half to two hours after eating, without chewing, drinking plenty of fluids.

Tablets may contain different amounts of paracetamol, so you should carefully read the instructions.

The maximum daily dose of the active substance:

  • 3 years - 6 years - 1000 mg;
  • 7 - 9 years - 14000 mg;
  • 10 - 12 years - 2000 mg;
  • children after 12 years - adults - 4000 mg.

You can take the drug every 4 hours, proportionally dividing the daily dosage.

Rectal suppositories for adults and children

The amount of paraacetylaminophenol in suppositories varies, because they are available for different age categories.

The instruction indicates the maximum possible dose of a substance that can be taken per day:

  • from 6 to 12 months - 400 mg;
  • from 1 year to 3 years - 600 mg;
  • from 3 to 5 years - 800 mg;
  • from 5 to 10 years - 1400 mg;
  • from 10 to 12 years - 2000 mg;
  • from 12 years and more - 4000 mg.

You can’t take an antipyretic medicine for more than three days. If the condition does not improve, other therapeutic methods are required to eliminate the cause of the pathology.

During pregnancy and lactation

The first trimester of pregnancy is a contraindication to the use of the drug, since it can adversely affect the development of the fetus.

But in subsequent periods, if necessary, to quickly relieve pain or reduce the temperature in a woman, you can use "Paracetamol". The medicine is considered safer than many drugs from the NSAID group.

A nursing mother can also take a remedy to eliminate unpleasant symptoms that worsen her health.

The decision on the use must be agreed with the attending physician in order to avoid unwanted side effects.

Drug interaction

The combination of the drug with caffeine, salicylic acid, indirect coagulants, antispasmodics and codeine increases the effectiveness of the latter.

Antiepileptic drugs, isoniazid, barbiturates, activated carbon and zidovudine reduce the therapeutic effect of acetaminophen and increase the manifestation of side effects.

The intake of alcohol and alcohol-containing drugs during the treatment period must be excluded. Alcohol in combination with paracetamol has a detrimental effect on the liver, kidneys and pancreas.

Contraindications, side effects and overdose

Prohibitions for the use of the drug are such conditions:

  • hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
  • children's age (up to 3 months for candles and syrup, up to 3 years for pills);
  • advanced age (after 70);
  • 1 trimester of gestation;
  • asthmatic symptoms;
  • viral hepatitis;
  • severe pathologies of the kidneys and liver;
  • stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer;
  • hyperkalemia
  • bleeding in the digestive tract;
  • postoperative period (after coronary bypass surgery);
  • chronic alcoholism;
  • inflammatory processes, erosion in the rectum (for suppositories).

Side effects occur with a low frequency.

Among them:

  • allergic reactions;
  • general weakness, dizziness;
  • indigestion, nausea, vomiting;
  • epigastric pain;
  • drowsiness or insomnia;
  • anemia;
  • arrhythmia;
  • decline in sugar level;
  • decreased functionality of the kidneys and liver;
  • damage to the rectal mucosa (in the treatment of suppositories).

An overdose occurs even after a slight excess of the dose of the drug or the continuation of the recommended duration of therapy. Symptoms are presented in increasing the severity of side effects from the drug, up to the death of liver cells, gastric bleeding, seizures and coma.

Analogues of an antipyretic drug

Complete synonyms for the active substance - acetaminophen - are drugs from foreign manufacturers:

  • "Perfalgan" - injections of paracetamol produced in France or the USA;
  • "Efferalgan" - water-soluble pills made in France;
  • "Panadol" - tablets (enteric and effervescent), a suspension of English and French production.

Paracetamol is part of other drugs:

  • with caffeine - Askofen-P, Panadol Extra, Migrenol, Pentalgin, Streamol Plus;
  • with codeine - “Codelmix”, “Parkocet”, “Solpadein”;
  • with psychotropic medicines - “Quintalgin”, “Santoperalgin”;
  • with vitamin C - “Apap C Plus”, “Efferalgan with Vitamin C”, “FluZiOZ”.

Similar antipyretic and analgesic effects are:

  • Nurofen
  • "Spazmalgol";
  • Streamol;
  • Ibuprofen
  • "Analgin";
  • Naproxen
  • Voltaren;
  • "Citramon";
  • "Nimesulide";
  • "Has";
  • "Tsefekon N";
  • "Nimesil";
  • Diklak
  • Tempalgin;
  • "Mexalen."

Each of the analogues is distinguished by the features of use, prohibitions and recommendations for use. Instructions for admission are given by the doctor, based on the clinical picture and age of the patient.

Similar:More from the author: