written by: RAMAN CHANDER PAL
Please share this article , so people can become more aware about OTC drug , Paracetamol !
Hellllllooooooo.................!
Have you recognized me?
No?
Then let me tell you who am I ?
Then listen to me !
Generally , most of the people call me by the name of Paracetamol or Acetaminophen and they think that I am (paracetamol) is an NSAID (Non steroidal anti inflammatory drug). NSAID's are the analgesic drugs which reduces pain, fever, and inflammation.So, this is a wrong perception which many people have about me . Actually I am (pararcetamol) not an NSAID drug. The reason behind this is that I (Paracetamol) do not reduce inflammation. I relieve from fever , headache and pain but I never reduce inflammation.
Story of my birth (DISCOVERY OF PARACETAMOL)
Now listen to the story of my birth !
The name of my mother is Acetanilide. According to her I don't have any father. She says that my birth was not pre planned but rather I was born accidentely. About 100 years ago when my mother Acetanilide (a very similar molecule to Paracetamol ) was added to a patient's prescription , the pain killing properties of paracetamol was discovered.Since the nature of my mother Acetanilide is very toxic , even in moderate doses . Therefore, chemists modified the structure of my mother , the Acetanilide . They added an "OH" group to my mother.Thus a new compound was discovered and I was born and I was christened as Paracetamol. After taking the birth , I retained the analgesic(painkilling properties) of my mother , but now I was not as toxic as my mother , Acetanil
My self (PARACETAMOL)
As now you must have come to know that one of the main reasons for my development was the toxicity nature of my mother , Acetanilide.
Since I am not as toxic as my mother , so it does not means that you can take me as your wish.
Even my name is under O.T.C drugs. O.T.C stands for Over The Counter. Over The Counter are those medicines which do not require a doctor's prescription for it's availability from the pharmacy.
There fore I am freely available. You can find me in any pharmacy and everywhere. You can even find me in the pharmacies which are situated in super markets, bus stands and railway stations.
Now a medicine which is so free available in the market , it may be misused knowingly or unknowingly.
Now if you are misusing me knowingly , then only God can help you. But if you are ignorant about me , then you should know about me and my properties,benefits and demerits.
Never use me(paracetamol) during hang overs for relieving from pain or headache. Instead you can use NSAID'S like ibuprofen , aspirin and naproxen .
I can be more fatal when you take me after consuming alcohol , because the liver which is already working more to metabolize the the alcohol , can cause the lever damage when I get combined with the liver .
Since I am not as toxic as my mother , so it does not means that you can take me as your wish.
Even my name is under O.T.C drugs. O.T.C stands for Over The Counter. Over The Counter are those medicines which do not require a doctor's prescription for it's availability from the pharmacy.
There fore I am freely available. You can find me in any pharmacy and everywhere. You can even find me in the pharmacies which are situated in super markets, bus stands and railway stations.
Now a medicine which is so free available in the market , it may be misused knowingly or unknowingly.
Now if you are misusing me knowingly , then only God can help you. But if you are ignorant about me , then you should know about me and my properties,benefits and demerits.
Never use me(paracetamol) during hang overs for relieving from pain or headache. Instead you can use NSAID'S like ibuprofen , aspirin and naproxen .
I can be more fatal when you take me after consuming alcohol , because the liver which is already working more to metabolize the the alcohol , can cause the lever damage when I get combined with the liver .
- Always ask your doctor or a pharmacist for a proper dosage form of mine so that I (paracetamol) may not prove harmful for you. Generally adult dose must not exceed 4 grams or 4000 m.g of paracetamol per day in divided doses. The dose of children must be fixed according to their weight calculations.Taking excess doses of paracetamol can cause serious liver diseases. For fever , do not consume me for more than 3 days until directed by the doctor. For pain, do not consume me for more than 10 days .This is for adults. But children can take me only for 5 days during pain.
- Use me (paracetamol) , to treat moderate pain and fever. You can use me for mild to moderate pains during headaches , toothaches , backaches , menstrual periods or during cold or flu aches.
- There are many OTC or non prescription / prescription drugs in which I am already present in combination form , so do not take me along with those medicines without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
- Always try to check the label of your medicine to ensure that whether it contains the paracetamol / acetaminophen or not. Many medications of pain , fever , cough and cold may contain paracetamol already.
