Paracetamol
hideParacetamol (INN) (pronounced /ˌpærəˈsiːtəmɒl, ˌpærəˈsɛtəmɒl/) or acetaminophen (/əˌsiːtəˈmɪnɵfrɨn/ ( listen)) (USAN) is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). It is commonly used for the relief of fever, headaches, and other minor aches and pains, and is a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu remedies. In combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioid analgesics, paracetamol is used also in the management of more severe pain (such as cancer or postoperative pain).
While generally safe for human use at recommended doses, acute overdoses (above 1000 mg per single dose and above 4000 mg per day for adults, above 2000 mg per day if drinking alcohol) of paracetamol can cause potentially fatal liver damage and, in rare individuals, a normal dose can do the same; the risk is heightened by alcohol consumption. Paracetamol toxicity is the foremost cause of acute liver failure in the Western world, and accounts for most drug overdoses in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
Paracetamol is derived from coal tar, and is part of the class of drugs known as “aniline analgesics”; it is the only such drug still in use today. It is the active metabolite of phenacetin, once popular as an analgesic and antipyretic in its own right, but unlike phenacetin and its combinations, paracetamol is not considered to be carcinogenic at therapeutic doses. The words acetaminophen and paracetamol both come from chemical names for the compound: para-acetylaminophenol and para-acetylaminophenol. In some contexts, it is simply abbreviated as APAP, for N-acetyl-para-aminophenol.
For more information about Paracetamol, read the full article at
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News tagged with acetaminophen
Common herbal medicine may prevent acetaminophen-related liver damage
Nov 17, 2009 |
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A well-known Eastern medicine supplement may help avoid the most common cause of liver transplantation, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The finding came as a surprise to ...
Acetaminophen may be linked to asthma in children and adults
Nov 05, 2009 |
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New research shows that the widely used pain reliever acetaminophen may be associated with an increased risk of asthma and wheezing in both children and adults exposed to the drug.
Research shows safe dosages of common pain reliever may help prevent conditions related to aging
Sep 23, 2009 |
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Recent studies conducted by Dr. Eric Blough and his colleagues at Marshall University have shown that use of the common pain reliever acetaminophen may help prevent age-associated muscle loss and other conditions.
Ibuprofen is as effective as acetaminophen with codeine to treat pain in children with arm fractures
Medicine & Health / Medications
Aug 18, 2009 |
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Children with arm fractures fared as well with ibuprofen to control their pain as acetaminophen with codeine, according to a new study by researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and Children's Research ...
Developing a safer form of acetaminophen
Jul 15, 2009 |
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Scientists in Louisiana are reporting development of a process for producing large batches of a new and potentially safer form of acetaminophen, the widely used pain-reliever now the source of growing concern ...
Questions and answers about pain medicine dangers
Jul 07, 2009 |
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(AP) -- A Food and Drug Administration panel has recommended limits on Tylenol and other drugs containing acetaminophen because of risks for liver failure. Maximum recommended doses for over-the-counter Tylenol would be ...
FDA panel: Lower maximum daily dose of Tylenol
Medicine & Health / Medications
Jun 30, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Government experts called for sweeping safety restrictions Tuesday on the most widely used painkiller, including reducing the maximum dose of Tylenol and eliminating prescription drugs such as Vicodin ...
FDA panel to vote on painkiller restrictions
Medicine & Health / Medications
Jun 30, 2009 |
2 / 5 (1) |
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(AP) -- Government experts are scheduled to vote on whether Nyquil and other combination cold medications should be pulled from the market to help curb deadly overdoses.
FDA weighs options to reduce painkiller overdoses
Medicine & Health / Medications
Jun 29, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Tylenol, Excedrin, NyQuil. These household brands and others have come to symbolize safe, convenient relief from the aches and pains of everyday life. But this week the Food and Drug Administration ...
FDA group recommends acetaminophen liver warnings
Medicine & Health / Medications
May 27, 2009 |
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(AP) -- A Food and Drug Administration report released Wednesday recommends stronger warnings and dose limits on drugs containing the painkiller acetaminophen, citing an increased risk of liver injury.
What teens don't know about OTC medications can hurt them
Medicine & Health / Medications
May 04, 2009 |
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Teens, who are starting to make more decisions about their own health care, may not know enough about over-the-counter pain medications to avoid complications or inadvertent misuse.
FDA toughens warnings on over-the-counter painkillers
Medicine & Health / Medications
Apr 29, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
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The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that it is asking drugmakers to more prominently display safety warnings on the labels of some of the most widely used over-the-counter pain and fever remedies.
Acute gastric injury due to high-dose analgesics?
Dec 29, 2008 |
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Analgesics, NSAIDs and acetaminophen, are commonly used for the relief of fever, headaches, and other minor aches and pains. The gastrointestinal side effects of NSAIDs are well documented and acetaminophen is accepted to ...
