Paracetamolo Laboratori Alter (Paracetamol)

Paracetamol acts centrally to alleviate pain and lower body temperature, making it suitable for several common conditions.

• Pain: provides relief of mild to moderate acute pain such as dental, musculoskeletal or postoperative discomfort.
• Fever: reduces elevated body temperature associated with infections or inflammatory processes.
• Headache: alleviates tension‑type headaches and other primary headache disorders.

• Paracetamol exerts its effect primarily by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes in the central nervous system, especially COX‑2, which leads to decreased synthesis of prostaglandins involved in pain signaling and thermoregulation. The peripheral inhibition is weak, accounting for its limited anti‑inflammatory activity. This central action reduces the perception of pain and lowers the hypothalamic set‑point for temperature.

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

Common Side Effects

• Nausea: mild stomach upset or queasiness.
• Abdominal discomfort: transient stomach pain or indigestion.
• Rash: mild skin redness or itching.
• Elevated liver enzymes: transient increase detectable in blood tests.
• Dizziness: occasional light‑headed sensation.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Stevens‑Johnson syndrome: severe skin blistering and mucosal involvement.
• Toxic hepatitis: acute liver injury with jaundice and elevated enzymes.
• Blood disorders: agranulocytosis or thrombocytopenia.
• Anaphylaxis: rapid onset of allergic reaction with breathing difficulty.
• Severe skin reactions: toxic epidermal necrolysis.

When using Paracetamol, certain precautions help minimize risk and ensure safe use.

• Dose limitation: do not exceed the maximum daily amount recommended by the prescriber.
• Alcohol use: avoid or limit alcohol consumption to reduce liver stress.
• Liver disease: use with caution in patients with existing hepatic impairment.
• Pediatric use: follow age‑appropriate dosing guidelines and keep out of reach of children.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: consult a healthcare professional before use.
• Store at ambient temperature: keep below 25 °C, in the original packaging, protected from moisture and direct sunlight.

Paracetamol may interact with other medicines, altering its effectiveness or safety profile.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Warfarin: increased anticoagulant effect, raising bleeding risk.
• Carbamazepine: enhanced metabolism leading to reduced analgesic effect.
• Phenytoin: increased clearance, decreasing therapeutic benefit.
• Isoniazid: heightened risk of liver toxicity when combined.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• Alcohol: additive hepatotoxic potential, especially with high doses.
• Oral contraceptives: may reduce contraceptive efficacy, requiring additional protection.
• Other hepatotoxic drugs: such as methotrexate, may increase liver injury risk.
• Antiepileptic agents: like valproate, may affect liver enzymes.