Panadol – acetaminophen – generic name and more commonly known as paracetamol is a common pain killer that can be bought in the drug store without a prescription. It’s the most widely available over-the-counter painkiller in the world. A medication used to reduce high fever and treat mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, menstrual periods, toothaches, backaches, osteoarthritis or just plain cold-flu aches and pains has many benefits but must be used with caution due to possible harmful side effects.
Science behind Panadol
Prostaglandins are chemicals that lead to inflammation in the brain – they can contribute to causing pain. Paracetamol, an active ingredient in Panadol, blocks these chemicals. It’s also gentle on the stomach and maybe a suitable alternative for patients who can’t take common over-the-counter painkillers due to their upset stomachs or other sensitive side effects.
How to use Panadol?
To ensure you get the most from this product, please read all the information provided on the packaging before using acetaminophen. There are a number of brands and forms of acetaminophen out there. Make sure you carefully read all the instructions for each product and have the correct dosage under control. Remember, maximum daily intake is not recommended for anyone wishing to detoxify through this medium!
For suspensions, shake well before each dose. Some medications are meant to be stirred but not shaken. If this confuses you, consult the label on the medication’s packaging. Over time you’ll get used to tell which is which. When it comes to measuring out different doses, do not use a regular spoon; instead make sure you have a product-specific dosage spoon, dropper, or syringe to ensure that you’re getting the correct amount of product taken in at once. Not doing so could result in taking too much or too little of the medication and could result in overdosing or perhaps under-dosing.
For tablets, take one tablet at the onset of the pain or up to every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Do not take more than 4 tablets in a 24-hour period for adults. For children, do not take this product for pain or fever for more than 3 days (2 days in infants). Fever is required to abate before giving another dose. If you have continued symptoms after 5 doses or your condition worsens, contact your doctor and let him/her know of your progress/condition before taking a further dose. Avoid taking this medication more than once a day as it can lead to serious health issues that may result in permanent damage such as organ failure or death. Do not crush sustained-release tablets; swallow them whole instead.
Precautions with Panadol
Here are some common precautions that one must be aware of while using Panadol.
- It contains paracetamol. Do not mix/use with any other drug containing similar salts
- Underlying liver impairments can put patients at risk for paracetamol-related liver damage resulting in death. Patients who have been diagnosed with liver or kidney impairment must seek medical advice before taking this medication.
- Do not exceed the stated dose.
- If you suffer from non-serious arthritis and need to take painkillers every day, consult a doctor first in case there is an alternative you can use which won’t cause any damage to your health over time.
Use of Panadol in Pregnancy
One recent study of pregnant women who took paracetamol on a regular basis showed inconclusive results. A second study showed a similar result, and at this time there has been insufficient conclusive evidence that paracetamol is responsible for any cases of birth defects. We recommend that you use caution when taking it while pregnant. If the medication is needed, strive to keep your dosage as low as possible and only take it for a short amount of time. While paracetamol isn’t known to make its way into breast milk to an extent that is dangerous for a nursing baby, we recommend that you seek advice from your doctor if you’re concerned about ingesting paracetamol while breastfeeding.
Side effects of Panadol
Although this drug is considered relatively safe to consume still some side effects of this drug is listed below:
- Rashes
- Itching/swelling
- Severe dizziness
- Trouble breathing
- Lever/kidney impairment in case of overdose.
Storage of Panadol
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets to prevent accidental poisoning. Do not flush medicines down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. Talk to your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused drugs.
