Paracetamol

Question 1

What type of medication is Paracetamol?

Answer 1

Analgesic & antipyretic.

Question 2

What is the action of Paracetamol?

Answer 2

Temporary relief of pain and discomfort in arthritis, headache, muscular and neuralgic conditions; also reduces fever.

Fever occurs when prostaglandin concentration increases within areas of the brain and alter the firing rate of neurones that control thermoregulation in the hypothalamus. Antipyretic medications reduce production of prostaglandins, thereby reducing the fever.

Question 3

What is the route of administration for Paracetamol, and what is the associated onset, peak and duration?

Answer 3

Route: PO.
Onset: 1-60 min.
Peak: N/A.
Duration: Up to 4 hrs.

Question 4

What uses is Paracetamol indicated for?

Answer 4

Pain management - Mild pain.

Febrile patients - Antipyretic in patients with temperature 38.5deg or more.

Question 5

What are the contraindications of Paracetamol?

Answer 5

Patients < 7yrs of age.
Allergy or hypersensitivity to paracetamol.
Liver failure.
Multiple previous doses:
-self administration within 4hrs; and/or
-4g (8 tablets) within 24hrs for 12 years of age or more; or
-2g (4 tablets) within 24hrs for patients from 7 -12 yrs of age.

Question 6

Can Paracetamol be left with patients?

Answer 6

Not under any circumstances.

Question 7

What patient history should be checked prior to paracetamol administration?

Answer 7

Previous administration within 4hrs and within the last 24hr period must be checked prior to any paracetamol administration.

Question 8

What is the correct dosage of paracetamol?

Answer 8

For patients 7yrs or older but less than 12yrs old, the dose is 250mg-500mg PO (max 500mg per dose). It can be repeated after 4hrs, with a max dose of 2g within 24hrs.

For patients 12 years or older, the dose is 500mg-1g PO (max dose 1g per dose). It can be repeated after 4hrs, with a max dose of 4g within 24hrs.