Paracetamol

Question 1

Paracetamol

Presentations

Answer 1

• 500mg white tablets
• 100mg/ml (2000mg/20ml) suspension
.

Question 2

Paracetamol

Use

Answer 2

• Mild to moderate pain
o For example, headache, sprain/strain, toothache, etc.
o As a component of a multimodal analgesic regime.
.

Question 3

Paracetamol

Type

Answer 3

• Paracetamol is a p-aminophenol derivative that exhibits analgesic and antipyretic activity..

Question 4

Paracetamol
Dose

(inc repeats)

Answer 4

Adult:
• 500mg tablet; oral administration of 500-1000mg (1-2 tablets)
• Max single dose 1000mg
• Max dose not to exceed 4000mg over a 24 hour period
Paediatric:
• 100mg/ml (oral suspension)
• 6 months - 12 years old: 15mg/kg
• Repeat every 4 to 6 hours
• Maximum daily dose is 60mg/kg in divided doses of 15mg/kg (not to exceed 4000mg), over a 24 hour period
.

Question 5

Paracetamol

Actions

Answer 5

elayed onset of action with peak effect via oral route achieved in ≥ 60 minutes. .

Question 6

Paracetamol

Contraindications

Answer 6

• Known hypersensitivity to Paracetamol.
• Do not give if patient has had Paracetamol in the preceding 4 hours.
• Cannot exceed the maximum allowed single dose or exceed the maximum allowed paracetamol daily dose (24hrs).

Question 7

Paracetamol

Adverse effects

Answer 7

• Nil known at therapeutic doses..

Question 8

Paracetamol

Precautions

Answer 8

• There is no evidence that fever itself worsens the course of an illness. The primary goal should be to improve overall comfort [1]
• SJA do not support the use of paracetamol in infants < 6 months.
• 20 ml Paracetamol suspension bottle is single patient use only.
• Only used enteral syringe/dropper with suspension
.