In almost no house there is a lack of paracetamol, a drug that many people use for any ailment, many times without knowing if it is really effective in treating their condition. Paracetamol is a drug that has an analgesic and antipyretic effect indicated to treat headaches, toothaches or muscle pain, as well as to lower the fever usually caused by colds and common infections.
The use of this medicine is quite frequent and, although you do not need a prescription to buy it, it should be used in a moderate way, since it has important contraindications that can put the kidney or liver health of some people at risk. In this FastlyHealarticle we answer a question that many people often ask themselves: is paracetamol anti-inflammatory ?
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Is paracetamol anti-inflammatory?
Paracetamol is a medicine that many people use as a quick solution to relieve common ailments such as headaches or to treat fever caused by infections or viral conditions. Paracetamol does not cure any disease, it alleviates their symptoms through its only two functions:
- Analgesic action : it is the main function of this drug and allows to alleviate different types of ailments, such as headache, muscle pain and joint pain. There are two types of pain relievers that are sold without a prescription: acetaminophen (paracetamol) and anti-inflammatory NSAIDs (ibuprofen).
- Antipyretic action : it is the function that allows this drug to control fever, especially when high levels of body temperature occur in adults, as it provides a powerful antipyretic effect.
Is paracetamol anti-inflammatory?
No, acetaminophen is not anti-inflammatory. This medicine belongs to the group of analgesics that are made with acetaminophen, that is, it does not have any active ingredient that can act in the body to relieve pain and inflammation at the same time. So what is paracetamol for? Let’s see:
- Headache.
- Muscle pain.
- Back pain.
- Fever due to respiratory, urinary, ear, bone and skin infections.
- Cold or flu fever.
Before consuming paracetamol it is important to consult with our doctor, since there are certain people whose consumption is contraindicated , such as:
- People with kidney or liver disease.
- People with alcoholism problems.
- People who use other medicines.
What medications are anti-inflammatory?
If, now that you know that paracetamol is not inflammatory, you are wondering which drugs perform this function in the body, here at FastlyHealwe offer you the answer. There are many painkillers on the market that, unlike paracetamol, are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, which means that they can relieve pain and reduce inflammation at the same time.
There are many NSAID-type drugs, perhaps one of the best known is ibuprofen . These medicines act in the body by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase and stimulating the production of salicylate, a substance that exerts an antipyretic effect on the body that allows fever to be lowered much more quickly: 30 minutes after the first intake.
Due to the anti-inflammatory power that NSAIDs offer, they are commonly prescribed after a surgical intervention to reduce inflammation of the lesions. Another of the most frequent uses of medicines such as ibuprofen is to reduce inflammation of the joints that have been compromised by diseases such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis , ankylosing spondylitis, among others. The anti-inflammatory effect of these drugs is so effective that they are used to reduce inflammation of the pimples caused by chronic acne.
In general, the recommended dose of ibuprofen in adults to be used as an anti-inflammatory is as follows: 1,200 – 1,800 mg per day administered in various doses. Daily medication should not exceed 2,400 mg of ibuprofen.
Recommendations when taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs
- The interaction of NSAIDs with other medications should always be consulted with the treating physician.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should never be taken with other pain relievers.
- If you are allergic to aspirin, it is not recommended to consume this type of drug.
- To avoid an upset stomach it is recommended to take these medications on a full stomach.
- Pregnant women should check with their doctor before taking these pain relievers.
Side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs
Like acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause adverse health effects if used for a long time. It is proven that those who take these drugs regularly have a higher risk of developing heart disease and gastrovascular accidents, which is why people with heart attacks, hypertension or any other heart disease should not take these types of drugs.
NSAIDs can also cause stomach or intestinal ulcers, bleeding, and perforation without warning and without apparent symptoms. It is believed that the consumption of alcoholic beverages or the combination of NSAIDs with other medications can increase the risk of these complications.
Side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Dizziness
- Gases.
- Abdominal distension.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Nervousness.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Is paracetamol anti-inflammatory? , we recommend that you enter our category of Medication and medical tests .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.