Paracetamol

Question 1

Class

Answer 1

Non-steroidal anti-

inflammatory drug

Question 2

Adverse effects

Answer 2

Few and
uncommon with
therapeutic doses
Toxic doses cause
firstly nausea and
vomiting and then
later potentially
fatal liver toxicity

Question 3

Clinical use

Answer 3

Mild to moderate pain

Especially headaches

Question 4

Mechanism of action

Answer 4

Inhibits COX 1 and COX 2
as well as the recently
identified COX 3 which
occurs predominantly in
the CNS

Question 5

Actions

Answer 5

Analgesic and
antipyretic
Little anti-
inflammatory action

Question 6

what is parcetamol

Answer 6

An analgesic and Antipyretic compound (A COX inhibitor)

Question 7

when is parcetamol used

Answer 7

used when NSAIDs cannot be

Question 8

three possible mechanisms of paracetamol action

Answer 8

1) It indirectly inhibits COX, which is ineffective in the presence of peroxides. This could explain why it does not work well within platelets.
2) It inhibits COX-3. This enzyme is not well understood.
3) Its antipyretic effects are due to effects on the hypothalamus, resulting in peripheral vasodilation and sweating