PARACETAMOL: A DRUG THAT HAS POTENTIAL TO BECOME POISON

What we’ll do if we have flu, body pain, headache or fever? Which is the first name that’ll come into our mind as a solution for all these issues; I believe it is PARACETAMOL. According to a report published in 2007 in one international journal, Paracetamol is top selling medicine in United Kingdom and America. According to data published by various business sites, Paracetamol is not only the most sold pain killer but top selling medicine throughout the world.

Although Aspirin’s ulcer causing ability is the first key factor that provides an excellent opportunity for the manufacturers of Paracetamol to establish it as an effective but at the same time a gentle to stomach pain relieving agent available as Over the Counter but the second key factor of PARACETAMOL’S success is unawareness of common man about its potential to cause Severe LIVER TOXICITY. Paracetamol’s ability to damage the liver can be better understood by a report published in 2001 in British Medical Journal that stated Paracetamol a most common cause of Acute Liver Failure in USA and UK. The process of liver failure associated with paracetamol is generally divided into 3 phases and it takes almost 3 to 5 days. Initially the victim of Paracetamol poisoning feels Nausea and Vomiting and after almost 24 hours these symptoms are followed by abdominal pain that is in upper right quadrant of abdomen and abnormal Liver functions. If at this point, Liver toxicity is not addressed then consequently death of liver cells starts that leads to Hypoglycemia, Hepatic encephalopathy, cerebral edema, Kidney failure and death of the victim. 

HOW TO PREVENT FROM PARACETAMOL’S TOXICITY?

Certain important measures help you to prevent from Paracetamol Toxicity. Whenever you purchase an OTC medicine for pain, flu or fever, just check how much it contains Paracetamol and keep in your mind that you cannot take more than 4000mg or 4g in 24 hour. In fact there is maximum probability to have more than 4g in a day when you purchase 2 or 3 different products containing Paracetamol. So ingesting all products containing at one time, try to take 1 at a time or calculate accordingly.

If you have any kind of Hepatitis (viral, alcohol induced or drug induced), then avoid Paracetamol strictly and consult your healthcare provider about the alternate medicines used for fever and pain. 

WHAT TO DO IF HEAVY DOSE OF PARACETAMOL IS INGESTED?

Without wasting time, immediately contact with the nearest hospital because activated charcoal is administered followed by gastric lavage and antidote of Paracetamol is administered that off course is not possible at home.

About Author
Dr.Hafiz is a philanthropist,poet and writer with diversified interests.His main focus is health,social norms, &religious & psychological effects on different societies.