Paracetamol is an effective drug that has been widely accepted for years as an analgesic and antipyretic drug. It is a painkiller that is used for minor pain such as headache, sore throat and menstrual pain. Because paracetamol also reduces fever, it is ideal for colds and flu. This painkiller is available in pill form, as an effervescent tablet and as a suppository. There is also paracetamol for children, with a lower dose of the active substance. Can this analgesic and antipyretic also cause side effects? And which symptoms indicate hypersensitivity to paracetamol?

What is paracetamol?

Paracetamol is a product that has been used since the 1950s as an analgesic and antipyretic . In modern medicine, paracetamol is about the most commonly used medicine for moderate pain and fever. This product is often the preferred medicine, especially for colds and flu, because it simultaneously relieves the pain and lowers the fever . Paracetamol is freely available in pharmacies and online stores.

Against fever

The advantage of paracetamol is that it has an analgesic and antipyretic effect at the same time. Pain caused by an infection that simultaneously causes fever can be treated with paracetamol. Examples where paracetamol is prescribed quite frequently include sore throat, colds and flu . In all these cases, the fever can be quickly controlled with paracetamol and there is a good chance that it will subside quickly. But this product can also be effective for other conditions that cause fever, such as intestinal inflammation or a viral infection.

Painkiller

For mild to moderate pain, the doctor will usually start by prescribing paracetamol. The analgesic effect of this product can, for example, be healing for conditions and symptoms such as:

• headache
• a sore throat
• arthrosis
• migraine
• menstrual pain
• mild abdominal pain

How much paracetamol to take?

Dose

As a starting dose to treat minor pain, the doctor will recommend taking 500 mg of paracetamol. If this does not help, the dose can be increased to 1000 mg (1 g). There are also 1 g tablets available, such as Dafalgan Forte . It is recommended to use a maximum of 1000 mg per intake and then wait at least four hours until the next intake. The maximum dose per day that you should not exceed is 3000 mg (3 g). This means that you can take a dose of 500 mg 6 times, or 1000 mg 3 times.

Combination

If paracetamol cannot combat the pain, the doctor can prescribe a medicine that combines paracetamol with codeine, such as Dafalgan Codeine . Paracetamol combined with caffeine can also be useful to relieve pain and at the same time improve the patient’s general feeling. This is partly due to the stimulating effect of caffeine. The analgesic effect usually lasts a little longer when paracetamol is combined with caffeine.Two examples of painkillers that combine these two substances:

• Final
• Panadol Plus

Paracetamol children

Paracetamol for children is commercially available in the form of powders, drinks, pills and suppositories. In these cases it concerns a lower dose of paracetamol, usually 250 g. The advantage of the suppository with paracetamol is that the child does not have to take the medicine orally. Taking a pill can be very difficult for a child who is ill or has the flu. It is recommended to always be careful when giving painkillers to children and to seek medical advice from a pharmacist or doctor.Some examples of paracetamol for children:

• Daro paracetamol (drink and powder)
• Suppository
• Sinaspril chewable tablet

Paracetamol side effects

Overdose

Paracetamol is an extremely effective drug with relatively few side effects or side effects . But as with so many products, it is never good to take too much. This also applies to paracetamol. In the long term, excessive use can lead to kidney damage, internal bleeding and liver problems. You know you have overused the product if you experience the following symptoms:

• dizziness
• nausea
• vomit
• diarrhea
• stomach ache
• loss of appetite
• profuse sweating

Hypersensitivity

It is extremely rare for patients to have a hypersensitivity to paracetamol. Hypersensitivity to this product is mainly manifested by the following symptoms :

• feeling of shortness of breath
• skin rash
• swollen tongue
• swollen throat

Buy paracetamol

is sold under many brand names . Most of these are available in the form of tablets, melting tablets, chewable tablets, effervescent tablets, syrups, drinks, powders and suppositories. Some of the most famous of these are:

• Roter
• Panadol (Plus)
• Perdolan
• Daro
• Dafalgan (Forte, Codeine)
• Final
• Lemsip
• Teva
• Orange spril
• Healthypharm
• Leidapharm

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