The discovery of this century-old drug is due to the search during the 19th century for components to reduce fever (antipyretics) in treating infections. Paracetamol was discovered in Germany in 1877 and is one of the most widely used drugs Worldwide.
Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, has made a significant impact and is established as the standard pain reliever and fever reducer; it is wholly and rapidly absorbed orally and rectally reasonably well and is safe for patients with gastric problems, renal or cardiovascular. In FastlyHealwe will explain everything related to this drug and, in addition, we will discover if I can take paracetamol every 4 hours.
Table of Contents
What is paracetamol and what is it used for
Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is used mainly to treat fever and mild and moderate pain caused by:
- Common conditions (joint pain).
- Otalgia (earache).
- Headaches (headache).
- Neuralgias.
- Minor surgical procedures.
Although its anti-inflammatory effect is low, it has analgesic potency and pharmacological characteristics similar to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. A significant advantage compared to other NSAIDs is that it does not affect platelet function and may be of choice in patients with blood problems; it is relatively inexpensive and is available on the market without a prescription both in tablets, as suspensions, and suppositories.
The Merck Manual [1] summarizes that the essential characteristics of paracetamol are:
- It has no good anti-inflammatory activity.
- The adverse stomach effects are almost nil.
- It does not affect blood clotting.
Can I take paracetamol every 4 hours?
In general, paracetamol can be administered in any of its presentations 3 to 5 times a day, that is, every four or eight hours, with the usual dose for analgesia and fever control being 325 to 1000 mg every four hours in the adult up to a maximum of 4 grams per day, also being able to be administered in that time interval in children.
In patients with kidney failure, it is recommended: to increase the administration interval to six hours or eight for patients with moderate and severe kidney damage; it is worth taking into consideration that in this case, it should be under medical supervision and indication.
Enter the indicated dose for adults and children over 12 years of age in tablets of 500, 750, or 1000 mg with a maximum daily dose of 4000 mg or 4 gr.
Adverse effects of taking paracetamol
Paracetamol is a very safe drug with a very low incidence of side effects when the maximum daily dose is respected. [2]
The best known adverse effect of paracetamol is liver toxicity (acute liver injury), which can occur when there is frequent consumption of daily doses.
The acute consumption of excessive doses of paracetamol can also cause acute renal failure. Still, when taken in recommended doses, it does not cause problems in the stomach or the kidneys. It is an excellent alternative to control pain or fever in patients who cannot take anti-inflammatory drugs.
Like all medicines, paracetamol can produce multiple adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them; among these effects that can occur are:
- General discomfort
- Hypotension
- A skin rash characterizes allergic dermatitis.
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin).
- Blood disorders (agranulocytosis, leukopenia, neutropenia, hemolytic anemia).
- Hypoglycemia
- Nausea.
- Threw up.
- Epigastralgia.
- Drowsiness.
- Pneumonitis
Contraindications of taking paracetamol
The main contraindication to paracetamol is the previous history of an allergic reaction, a rare situation even in individuals who have allergies to other anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin or dipyrone (Metamizole); it is also contraindicated in severe hepatocellular insufficiency and viral hepatitis.
In patients with renal insufficiency, the occasional use of this medicine is acceptable, but prolonged administration at high doses increases the risk of adverse renal effects.
In pregnancy, it has been shown that paracetamol crosses the placental barrier, so it is recommended not to administer it except in case of need; in the case of breastfeeding, it has been indicated that this drug is excreted in breast milk in small amounts, although its presence has not been detected in the urine of infants so it can be used at therapeutic doses.
One of the most widely used drugs with fewer side effects is paracetamol, which is why it is sold without a medical prescription; however, in the event of any unfavorable impact, it is essential to visit the doctor immediately.
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.
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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.