Paracetamol is an effective and popular painkiller that can be found in almost every medicine cabinet in the Netherlands. The drug is freely available at the drugstore and due to its mild side effects, this drug is very popular as a first relief for pain complaints, but also for lowering fever.

Paracetamol

• How paracetamol works
• When to use?
• Dosage
• How long does Paracetamol work?
• How quickly does Paracetamol work?
• Side effects
• How to use paracetamol.
• Contraindications Paracetamol (when should you not use paracetamol)?
• Use paracetamol in traffic
• Paracetamol and pregnancy
• Alcohol
• Is paracetamol addictive?
• Brand names

How paracetamol works

Paracetamol is the most commonly used painkiller in the Netherlands.* The drug has been on the market for a long time, but the way it works has not yet been fully clarified. Scientists have two possible hypotheses to explain the mechanism of action. The first hypothesis assumes that paracetamol directly or indirectly affects the serotonergic nervous system. The serotonergic system is involved, among other things, in the sensation of pain. A second explanation is that paracetamol works as a so-called COX inhibitor. COX, or also cyclooxygenase enzymes, are important for the production of the substance prostaglandin. Prostaglandin is a substance that is produced by the immune system in places where the body has been injured or where there is inflammation and it can irritate the pain nerves.* Paracetamol is the most commonly used painkiller in the Netherlands, but is not the most commonly prescribed by doctors. This is because it is freely available, i.e. without a prescription. Diclofenac tops the top 100 list of most commonly used medications prescribed by doctors.

When to use?

Paracetamol is used to combat pain and fever. It is effective for combating headaches as long as they are not chronic. Paracetamol can also be taken to suppress migraine attacks. Only use this medication during the migraine attack. Paracetamol is also effective for other pain, such as osteoarthritis, menstrual pain, muscle pain, lumbago and toothache: stop using it when the pain has disappeared or is tolerable again. It is possible to suppress a high fever (higher than 39.5 ºC) with paracetamol. It is not advised to suppress lower fever.

Dosage

Paracetamol may be used daily in a dosage of 6 to 8 times 500 mg, during long-term use. There should be a period of at least 3 hours between these doses. For suppositories, a dosage of 3 to 4 times 1000 mg applies. If these dosages are adhered to, the use of paracetamol is relatively safe.

How long does Paracetamol work?

The half-life of paracetamol in the body is approximately 2 to 3 hours. The duration of action of paracetamol is three to six hours. After the pain-relieving effect of paracetamol diminishes, you can use a new dose of paracetamol after about 3 to 4 hours.

How quickly does Paracetamol work?

It is a fast-acting painkiller. When taken orally, the analgesic effect will usually occur within half an hour. However, when paracetamol is administered in the hospital via an infusion, the effect can occur after 15 minutes. The action of the suppositories is slightly slower, the effect will occur after about an hour.

Side effects

Paracetamol is a very safe drug. In general, paracetamol has no side effects. For example, it is much safer than the commonly prescribed painkillers diclofenac and ibuprofen. The main risk when using paracetamol is the risk of liver damage. In very rare cases you may develop a hypersensitivity to this medication. You will notice this in a rash, hives and sometimes shortness of breath. If you notice these side effects, consult your doctor. If you are of black descent or from the Mediterranean region, you may very rarely have a congenital enzyme deficiency (G6PD deficiency). This medicine can then cause a serious blood disorder in you.

How to use paracetamol.

• Paracetamol is available in different dosage forms and concentrations. The different ways to take paracetamol are:
• Tablets; You can take this orally with a glass of water
• Melting tablets: let them ‘melt’ on the tongue and then swallow.
• Chewable tablets
• Powders: dissolve a powder in a glass of tap water,
• Drink
• Suppositories; insert the suppository into the anus.
• Drip.

Contraindications Paracetamol (when should you not use paracetamol)?

There are very few contraindications to the use of paracetamol. If you have liver disease, you should be careful when using this medication.

Use paracetamol in traffic

There are no restrictions on the use of paracetamol in traffic. You can drive safely when you use paracetamol.

Paracetamol and pregnancy

Can you use paracetamol during pregnancy? That is certainly allowed, but to a limited extent. You may take a maximum of four 500 mg tablets per day during pregnancy, for no longer than one week in a row. This dosage has been recommended for pregnant women for many years without any adverse effects on mother or child having been found.

Alcohol

Is it allowed to drink alcohol while taking paracetamol? Consuming normal amounts of alcohol is not a problem. People who consume alcohol in excessive amounts are at increased risk of liver damage.

Is paracetamol addictive?

Paracetamol is not addictive. Even with long-term use, no addiction symptoms occur. It is possible that you develop a drug-dependent headache. This headache can occur if you use the medicine for headaches on more than one day, then not at all. If this situation continues for some time, the headache may occur if you do not take the medicine for a while or possibly a little later than usual.

Brand names

Paracetamol is also sold under the brand names Panadol and Sinaspril

read more

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