Paracetamol (ANALGESIC DRUG)

Question 1

What are the indications for paracetamol? (including oral and IV)

Answer 1

Oral: to relieve mild to moderate pain, or high temperature WITH discomfort.

IV: to relieve moderate to severe pain, alternative pain relief when morphine is contraindicated.

Question 2

what are the contra-indications for paracetamol

Answer 2

When the maximum dose has already been reached (4g per 24 hours).

When another medicine has been used with paracetamol in it (like co-codamol) within the last 4 hours (last 6 hour if person has renal impairment)

Question 3

what is the adult dosage for paracetamol? (including oral and IV)

Answer 3

Oral: If 16y/o AND >50KG= 500mg—>1g every 4-6 hours (maximum of 4g in 24 hours)
500mg per tablet

IV: if 16y/o AND >50KG= 1g every 4-6 hours, given over 15 minutes
10mg in 1ml

Question 4

what are the pharmacokinetics for paracetamol?

Answer 4

Absorbed: parental/Enteral (e.g oral/IV)
Distributed: some plasma proteins
Metabolised: liver
excreted: Urine

Question 5

possible adverse effects of paracetamol

Answer 5

nausea, hepatic injury (in toxicity)

JRCALC: IV paracetamol can cause hypotension if administered too fast (<15 mins)

Question 6

what is the pharmacodynamics of paracetamol?

Answer 6

JRCALC: analgesic (pain reliving). Produced by central inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis

antipyretic (temperature-reducing)

Has no anti-inflammatory effects

Question 7

How is paracetamol presented on the road?
(including solutions, IV and oral)

Answer 7

Solutions: 120mg in 5 ml for 3 months-5 y/o

IV: bottle containing 1g of paracetamol in 100ml. Used for individuals 33kg<
OR
bottle containing 500mg of paracetamol in 50ml. Used for individuals 33kg> (including as young as full-term newborns)

Question 8

what type of drug is paracetamol

Answer 8

An analgesic (pain relief)
An antipyretic (reduces temperature)