Paracetamol

Parasetamol

A common painkiller and fever medicine, safe for most people when the daily limit is respected.

Also known as: acetaminophen, Panadol

Drug class: Analgesic and antipyretic

Forms: tablet, syrup, suppository

What it is

Paracetamol relieves mild to moderate pain and lowers fever. It does not reduce inflammation like ibuprofen does.

X'inhu (Maltese)

Il-parasetamol itaffi uġigħ ħafif sa moderat u jbaxxi d-deni. Ma jnaqqasx l-infjammazzjoni bħalma jagħmel l-ibuprofen.

Used for

  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Pain after minor procedures
Jintuża għal (Maltese)
  • Uġigħ ta' ras
  • Deni
  • Uġigħ fil-muskoli u l-għadam
  • Uġigħ wara proċeduri żgħar

Typical use

Adults usually take it up to four times a day with several hours between doses. Never exceed the maximum daily amount, and check other cold or flu products for hidden paracetamol. Follow the local formulary or SPC.

Użu tipiku (Maltese)

L-adulti normalment jieħduh sa erba' darbiet kuljum b'diversi sigħat bejn doża u oħra. Qatt ma taqbeż l-ammont massimu kuljum, u iċċekkja prodotti oħra tar-riħ jew tal-influwenza għal parasetamol moħbi. Segwi l-formularju lokali jew l-SPC.

Common side effects

  • Usually well tolerated
  • Rash, rarely
  • Liver damage in overdose
Effetti sekondarji komuni (Maltese)
  • Ġeneralment tollerat tajjeb
  • Raxx, rari
  • Ħsara fil-fwied f'każ ta' doża eċċessiva

Cautions

  • Liver disease
  • Regular alcohol use
  • Low body weight
  • Other medicines containing paracetamol
Prekawzjonijiet (Maltese)
  • Mard tal-fwied
  • Użu regolari ta' alkoħol
  • Piż baxx tal-ġisem
  • Mediċini oħra li fihom il-parasetamol

What to tell the patient

Never take more than the amount on the box, and check that your cold remedy does not also contain paracetamol. Too much can harm the liver even if you feel fine at first.

X'tgħid lill-pazjent (Maltese)

Qatt ma tieħu aktar mill-ammont li hemm fuq il-kaxxa, u iċċekkja li l-mediċina tar-riħ tiegħek ma fihiex ukoll parasetamol. Wisq minnu jista' jagħmel ħsara lill-fwied anke jekk għall-ewwel tħossok tajjeb.

Clinical codes

  • ATC N02BE01 · paracetamol

Educational reference only — not a substitute for clinical judgement, local guidelines or the SPC.