What are the uses of paracetamol and how does it work?

1. What are the uses of paracetamol and how does it work? Paracetamol is one of the most effective antipyretic and analgesic medicines easily available on the counter. It is a very safe drug when consumed in the right amount. Though, there are many people who must seek medical advice from the pharmacist or their doctor, before consuming it. If the person is intolerant or allergic to any of its other ingredients, he/she shouldn't take the medicine containing paracetamol. Always see the leaflet provided with the medicine carefully to check the ingredients. Some drugs containing paracetamol are not advisable for kids under a certain age, due to the high quantity of paracetamol in the product. People suffering from liver or kidney problems should avoid paracetamol. People who are advised to consume a diet low in sodium should be aware that few soluble or effervescent tablets have some sodium, so it is important to check before taking these tablets. Persons who have continuous headaches should not take paracetamol. For headaches or migraines taking paracetamol too often or for a long time can, in fact, make the headaches even worse. What is paracetamol used for? Paracetamol is used to get relief from mild to moderate pain, such as the joint pain, headache, body ache, migraine, toothache, nerve pain (neuralgia), sore throat, period pain, muscular aches, earache, and rheumatic. It is one of the most common and effective medicine in reducing a high temperature (fever). Relieving aches, fever, pain, and discomfort related to colds and flu are treated with paracetamol. How does paracetamol work? Paracetamol controls the pain by minimizing the production of prostaglandins in the spinal cord as well as in the brain. Prostaglandins are generated by the body in response to the certain diseases and injury. To sensitize nerve endings is one of the paracetamol actions so that when that area is stimulated it causes the pain. As this drug reduces the production of prostaglandins it is supposed it may boost our pain threshold, so that even though the cause of the pain stays, but we can feel it less. Paracetamol lowers the temperature by affecting a part of the brain that controls our body temperature. Paracetamol is as effective as ibuprofen and aspirin in reducing mild to moderate pain and controlling fever, but unlike these, it does not decrease inflammation. Paracetamol syrups and soluble tablets get absorbed into the body faster and therefore, it affects faster than other paracetamol dose forms like tablets. Paracetamol is available in the form of tablets, capsules, caplets (capsule-shaped tablets), soluble tablets, suppositories and suspensions (liquids). One can get it without a prescription from general retail outlets like supermarkets and pharmacies. The overdose of paracetamol can be dangerous and it can cause serious damage to the kidneys and liver. One should never consume more than the recommended dosage of the paracetamol mentioned in the information on the leaflet of the medicine. Also, be careful while taking other medicines containing paracetamol at the same time, as this can result in exceeding the maximum dose of paracetamol which can be harmful. Get fast medical advice if someone has taken the overdose of paracetamol, even if he/she feel well because of the risk of serious or delayed liver damage.