Paracetamol

Question 1

What are the indications for Paracetamol?

Answer 1

Mild or moderate pain.

Moderate to severe pain, in addition to other medicines.

Question 2

What are the contraindications for paracetamol?

Answer 2

Known severe allergy.

Question 3

What are the precautions for paracetamol?

Answer 3

• Taken paracetamol within the last four hours
• Abdominal pain, particularly if the patient is very unwell or vomiting.
• Known severe liver disease.

Question 4

What are the dosages for paracetamol?

Answer 4

• 1.5 g PO for an adult weighing greater than 80 kg.
• 1 g PO for an adult weighing 80 kg or less.
• See the paediatric drug dose tables for a child.

Question 5

What are the usual preparations for paracetamol?

Answer 5

• 500 mg tablets.
• Syrup containing 50 mg/ml.
  Pharmacokinetics

Question 6

What is the MOA for paracetamol?

Answer 6

Paracetamol inhibits the production of prostaglandins resulting in a reduction in pain and fever.