Paracetamol Apofri (Paracetamol)

• Paracetamol acts as an analgesic and antipyretic across several common conditions.
• Fever: reduces elevated body temperature.
• Headache: alleviates tension‑type and mild migraine pain.
• Musculoskeletal pain: eases aches associated with strains or over‑use.
• Dental pain: provides relief after tooth extraction or dental procedures.
• Cold symptoms: helps control fever and discomfort during upper respiratory infections.

• Paracetamol exerts its effect primarily by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX‑1 and COX‑2) in the central nervous system, which reduces prostaglandin synthesis. This action lowers the pain‑sensing threshold and resets the hypothalamic heat‑regulation set point, producing analgesic and antipyretic effects without significant peripheral anti‑inflammatory activity.

Paracetamol is generally well tolerated, but adverse reactions can occur.

Common Side Effects

• Nausea: mild stomach upset.
• Rash: transient skin irritation.
• Elevated liver enzymes: mild, reversible changes.
• Headache: occasional rebound headache.
• Dizziness: brief sensation of light‑headedness.
• Abdominal discomfort: mild pain or cramping.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Hepatotoxicity: severe liver injury, especially with overdose.
• Stevens‑Johnson syndrome: rare severe skin reaction.
• Anaphylaxis: life‑threatening allergic response.
• Blood dyscrasias: rare cases of agranulocytosis or thrombocytopenia.
• Renal impairment: acute kidney injury in susceptible individuals.
• Hypersensitivity reactions: including angioedema.

• Paracetamol should be used with caution in specific situations.
• Assess liver function: avoid use in patients with existing hepatic disease.
• Avoid alcohol: concurrent intake increases risk of liver injury.
• Use lowest effective dose: limit total daily intake to recommended maximum.
• Monitor in children: adjust dose by weight and avoid use in infants under 2 months.
• Do not exceed max daily dose: adhere to label limits to prevent toxicity.
• Store at ambient temperature: keep in original packaging, protect from moisture.

Paracetamol may interact with several medicines, requiring attention.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Warfarin: increased anticoagulant effect, risk of bleeding.
• Carbamazepine: reduced analgesic efficacy.
• Phenytoin: decreased therapeutic effect.
• Isoniazid: heightened risk of hepatotoxicity.
• Rifampicin: may lower plasma concentrations.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• Alcohol: additive liver toxicity.
• Oral contraceptives: possible reduction in efficacy.
• Lithium: potential for altered lithium levels.
• Phenobarbital: may decrease paracetamol effectiveness.
• Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs): monitor for rare bleeding tendencies.