How Much Paracetamol is safe: There are different medicines for every disease in Indian markets, but there is a medicine that most people are considering the solution of all diseases. It is also called a ‘fever with a common colloquial language’. If the question is arising in your mind, what is this medicine, then tell me that it is ‘paracetamol’, which people reach the medical store as soon as they are feverish. People do not even like to consult a doctor to take this medicine. Perhaps you are one of those people, but you will be surprised to know that ‘paracetamol’ is not a cure for all diseases.
This is not a medicine that you can use from fever to back pain. If you take it to eliminate pain, then you are making a big mistake. Why so? Today we will explain to you in this article what is paracetamol? How does it affect? How should it be taken, who should not take it? When can it be dangerous to take paracetamol? So let’s understand everything in detail ….
American doctor warns some time ago
A few days ago a US gastroenterologist focused on the use of Dolo-650 by Indians and compared this drug to Cadbury James in one of his tweets on X. He said, ‘Bharti Dolo eats 650 as James (Toffee).’
Actually, Dolo-650 is a brand name of paracetamol, a drug used for fever and pain, which became famous during Covid-19. So let’s now know what is paracetamol, how it works, how much it is right and what can be the side effects from overdose.
What is paracetamol?
Paracetamol (Panadol, Calpol, Elvedon) is an analgesic and antipyretic drug, which is used to temporarily relieve pain and fever. It is usually taken as a medicine taken in cold and flu medicines. In easy language, paracetamol is a painkiller used to treat fever and pain. It is available in the market in the form of tablets, capsules, syrup and powder.
Paracetamol is exactly the same medicine as acetaminophen (tilanol). While in countries like Europe, Australia, New Zealand and India, this drug is sold in the market called paracetamol, in countries like America, Canada and Japan it is named ‘Acetaminophen’. The name of ‘Paurasitamol’ and ‘Acetaminophen’ is just different, but the salt of these medicines is the same.
Paracetamol was first built in 1878 but was widely used since the 1950s. Today paracetamol is one of the most used painkillers in the world. Now there are branded and generic versions of this medicine all over the world.
Dolo-650 consumption in India?
Dolo-650 became a common name in India during Kovid-19. While paracetamol was already famous in India, Dolo-650’s fame increased during Kovid-19. Bangalore-based company Micro Labs created Dolo-650. According to a Forbes report in 2022, Micro Labs sold more than 350 crore bullets of Dolo-650 since the introduction of Covid-19 in 2020, receiving a revenue of Rs 400 crore in a year.
According to the market research firm IQVIA, before the epidemic, the pharmaceutical company used to sell about 7.5 crore strips of Dolo-650 every year. After a year, this figure increased to 9.4 million strips. By the end of 2021, it increased to 14.5 million strips, which is almost twice as compared to 2019.
At the same time, more than 7.54 crore Dolo-650 tablets were sold in 2019-20. In 2020-21, the figure decreased slightly, the year Kovid-19 was on its peak, more than 7.40 crore tablets were sold that year. Then in 2021-22 next year, the amount of Dolo Tablet was doubled to more than 15.33 crore.
Why is paracetamol used?
Paracetamol is mainly used to relieve pain and reduce fever. However, people often take it in conditions like headache and migraine. It is also considered effective for back pain, muscle pain and osteoarthritis.
Many people use it to reduce the pain caused by toothache, period pen (dysmenoria), cold, flu, sore throat or sinus problem. Apart from this, it is also helpful in controlling pain after paracetamol surgery and reducing high fever.
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is found in many different winter and flu drugs. If you are taking any other medicine with paracetamol or acetaminophen, then paracetamol should not be eaten.
How does paracetamol work?
It is not completely clear how paracetamol works but experts believe that it blocks the chemical messengers in the brain that indicate pain. It also affects the messengers who control our body temperature, which is why it helps in reducing fever.
Scientists believe that paracetamol prevents the body from creating a substance called prostaglandin when someone is ill or hurts. If there is pain and swelling in our body, then it can also become a substance. Paracetamol can also affect other systems in the body that make everyone feel that they are having pain and restlessness.
Who should not take paracetamol?
If a person is allergic to paracetamol or any other ingredient present in it, do not take a medicine containing paracetamol. Along with this, let us tell you that children under 10 years of age should not eat paracetamol. For children, it is made in the form of syrup whose dose is limited.
How many doses of paracetamol safe?
Paracetamol should always be taken in the manner mentioned by its doctor or pharmacist. Never take more than the dosage given by them, because paracetamols come in different milligrams and accordingly they may be different in the guidelines of the dose. Generally, paracetamol can be taken every 4 to 6 hours, but you should make a difference of at least 4 hours between each dose and avoid taking more than four doses within a 24 -hour.
You should not continue taking paracetamol for more than 3 days unless your doctor has asked you to do so. If your symptoms deteriorate or do not get well, then you must contact your doctor for further advice.
What if the overdose of paracetamol is taken?
If you take the dose of paracetamol, immediately consult a doctor or contact the poison (poison) control center. Even after taking overdose, it is necessary to seek advice from a doctor immediately.
Paracetamol can cause serious damage to the liver. There are no symptoms of overdose during the first 24 hours, although later your body may turn yellow, you may sweat too much and may also be vomiting. With this, you stop hungry and you can also have stomach ache. Dr. Singla has also told some more symptoms of paracetamol:
- nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Tiredness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
Paracetamol side effects
Usually, if paracetamol is taken properly then it is safe, but in some cases its serious side effects may be seen. Some people may have allergic reaction, which may include skin rashes, itching, hives or facial, tongue or throat swelling. Breathing may also cause nervousness or breathlessness.
Its other side effects include skin peeling, mouth blisters, injuries or bleeding, feeling excessive fatigue or infection. Paracetamol can sometimes affect the liver. If paracetamol affects your liver, then suddenly your weight can be reduced, hunger decreases and skin or eyes turn yellow.
According to Dr. Singla, in severe cases, taking overdose of paracetamol:
Lack of liver: Paracetamol is metabolized by the liver and the extent of excessive dose can cause damage to liver cells and can be at risk of liver failure.
Kidney damage: In many cases, the overdose of paracetamol can also cause damage to the kidney.
How does paracetamol spoil the liver?
Eating too much paracetamol can cause liver damage. This is not only ours but also the famous liver doctor Shivkumar Sarin of the country. In an interview, he told that it is not good to take paracetamol repeatedly. According to them, paracetamol is the biggest reason for liver failure abroad in today’s time.
The liver contains an element called glutathione, which prevents this essential part of your body from getting damaged. Glutathione is the only neutralization of paracetamol and prevents liver damage. However, a person who drinks alcohol reduces the amount of glutathion in people suffering from obese, which causes their liver damage. According to Doctor Sarin, there is a ability to take paracetamol. If this medicine is taken more than that capacity, then the liver can be damaged.
Note: Never take any kind of medicine without consulting a doctor. In case of any kind of disease, first of all contact your family doctor and take only the prescribed medicine with their approval.