Paracetamol for colds: how to drink, dosage

A popular medicine used for colds is Paracetamol. Let's look at the features of this medicine and its properties.

The drug belongs to the pharmacological group of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. It belongs to non-narcotic analgesics, antipyretics, antirheumatic drugs. Today, Acetaminophen, also known as Paracetamol, is an active component of many drugs used to treat colds and viral diseases. [ 1 ]

Depending on the dosage, the drug exhibits the following pharmacological properties:

• Pain reliever.
• Antipyretic.
• Anti-inflammatory.

Preparations based on it have an anti-inflammatory effect with minimal side effects typical for non-steroidal substances of this group. According to WHO, Paracetamol is included in the composition of vital medications. [ 2 ]

The main advantage of Paracetamol for colds is its antipyretic properties. Its mechanism of action is similar to the process of natural temperature reduction. It affects the central nervous system, directing its action to the hypothalamus and thermoregulation processes. Body temperature quickly returns to normal. Due to this, the body does not waste energy on eliminating the feverish state, but directs defense mechanisms to fight pathogens. [ 3 ]

Can you take paracetamol when you have a cold?

Paracetamol is a drug approved for colds. It does not have antibacterial properties, so it can be prescribed even for children. The pharmacological agent has an analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect. It effectively copes with the first symptoms of colds and other respiratory diseases.

The main advantages of the drug:

• Rapid antipyretic effect, similar to the body's natural thermoregulation process.
• It is approved for the treatment of pediatric patients and does not cause addiction with long-term use.
• It has a selective effect, minimizing side effects and the risk of overdose.
• The therapeutic effect develops within 1-2 hours after application, is quickly metabolized and excreted from the body.

Paracetamol is approved for the treatment of colds. The form of release and dosage of the drug is prescribed by the attending physician.

Does paracetamol help with colds?

Paracetamol is a symptomatic drug, i.e. it does not treat colds or flu, but only eliminates their painful symptoms: high temperature, fever, headaches. Also, the drug does not affect the immune system, since it does not contain vitamin components.

Basic principles of treatment with Paracetamol:

• The medicine should be used for acute symptoms of the disease: fever, high body temperature, rapid deterioration of general health.
• The drug can be used for chronic forms of respiratory diseases, even in the absence of elevated body temperature.
• The medication is prohibited to be combined with any medications or folk methods that contain alcohol.

It should be taken into account that neither Paracetamol nor its analogues are intended for the prevention of colds and infectious pathologies. Therefore, taking the medicine outside the period of illness is prohibited.

Indications Paracetamol for a cold

The main indication for the use of the drug is acute symptoms of colds and other respiratory diseases:

• Elevated body temperature and feverish condition.
• Pain of various etiologies.
• Neuralgia.
• Hyperthermia due to vaccination.

Before using the medicine, you should consult with your doctor. The doctor will determine the advisability of taking the medicine, prescribe the necessary dosage and duration of therapy.

• Paracetamol for colds without fever

If a cold is accompanied by severe headaches and muscle pain, Paracetamol can be used to eliminate them. That is, the drug is effective not only for elevated temperatures. The dosage of the drug remains standard, and the duration of therapy should not exceed 5 days.

Release form

Today, the pharmaceutical market offers several oral forms of Paracetamol:

• Tablets of 200 mg, 10 pieces per package.
• Tablets of 325 mg, 6, 12, 30 pieces.
• Tablets of 500 mg, 10 pieces per package.
• Capsules of 235 mg, 6, 12, 30 pieces in a polymer container.
• Syrup of 125 and 120 mg/5 ml, 60, 100 ml in a bottle.
• Suspension 120 mg/5 ml, in 100 and 200 ml bottles.

The drug is also available in the form of rectal suppositories 80 mg, 10 pieces per package. The appropriate form of release is determined by the attending physician, individually for each patient.

Pharmacodynamics

Paracetamol is a 4-hydroxyacetanilide non-narcotic, non-salicylate analgesic and antipyretic. Its analgesic properties are associated with central and peripheral action. The active component inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, inhibits COX and other mediators of pain and inflammation.

It acts in the central nervous system, reduces the excitability of the hypothalamic thermoregulation center. Increases the pain threshold by blocking impulses on bradykinin-sensitive receptors. [ 4 ]

Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration, Acetaminophen is rapidly and completely absorbed from the digestive tract in the upper intestine. Maximum plasma concentrations occur 30-60 minutes after administration. Plasma protein binding depends on the dosage of the drug.

Metabolizes in the liver, forming two active metabolites: glucuronide and paracetamol sulfate. Penetrates the blood-brain barrier and into breast milk. Excreted by the kidneys as metabolites and about 5% unchanged. The half-life is 1-4 hours. When treating elderly patients, drug clearance decreases, and increases during excretion. [ 5 ]

Dosing and administration

The dosage and application of the drug depend on the form of the drug, the doctor's prescription and the patient's age.

• Tablets - single dose for adults 350-500 mg 3-4 times a day, maximum single dose 1.5 g, maximum daily - 3-4 g. For children 9-12 years old - 2 g divided into 4-5 doses. For children 3-6 years old - 60 mg/kg of body weight in 3-4 doses.
• Rectal suppositories – for adults and adolescents weighing over 60 mg, 350-500 mg 3-4 times a day. For children under 3 years old, 15 mg/kg of body weight, the daily dosage should not exceed 60 mg/kg. For children 3-6 years old, 60 mg/kg of body weight, divided into 3-4 doses. For children 6-12 years old, 2 g per day, divided into 4 doses.
• Syrup - for patients weighing over 60 kg - 20-40 ml 3-4 times a day. For children under 5 years old - 5-10 ml. For children 5-12 years old - 10-20 ml of syrup 3-4 times a day. [ 12 ]

It is recommended to take the medicine after meals with plenty of water. If the painful condition does not go away during treatment, you should inform your doctor about it.

Paracetamol at the first sign of a cold

Often the first signs of a cold are manifested by a deterioration in general health, headaches and muscle pain, and elevated body temperature. Paracetamol copes well with the elimination of such symptoms.

After 2-3 days of taking the drug, acute symptoms of the disease and discomfort pass. It should be taken into account that the drug is symptomatic, so it does not affect the viral or bacterial pathogen. It is better to take the drug in combination with other medicinal or herbal remedies.

Paracetamol for a child with a cold

This medicine is approved for use in children over 6 months of age. Oral suspension and rectal suppositories are most often used for colds in babies. Tablets or capsules may be prescribed for older children.

The suspension is taken 5-20 ml 3-4 times a day, depending on the age of the child. Rectal suppositories are inserted into the rectum 2-3 times a day. In acute cases of the disease, the suppository can be placed at night so that the baby sleeps well. The duration of treatment with Paracetamol should not exceed 3-5 days, but before using it, you should consult a pediatrician.

Paracetamol at night for colds

One of the features of Paracetamol is its fast antipyretic and analgesic effect. If a respiratory infection occurs with a high temperature and body aches, then before going to bed you should take a tablet/capsule of the medicine or use a liquid dosage form. In the latter case, the active components will penetrate the systemic bloodstream as quickly as possible and show a therapeutic effect.

You can also put a suppository with the drug at night. When used rectally, the absorption of the active substance is not as active as when taken orally, but it allows you to cope with the highest temperature in both adults and children.

How many days should you take paracetamol for a cold?

The duration of use of Paracetamol depends on the severity of the disease and the age of the patient.

Treatment regimen:

• The medicine is taken in the prescribed dosage until the fever and acute pain syndrome disappear. The duration of therapy should not exceed 5-7 days.
• During the day, the medication is taken at intervals of 8-12 hours. The first dose should be 2 hours after a meal. If the patient has a poor appetite, it is recommended to reduce the dosage by half so as not to cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.
• All dosage forms are recommended to be taken with water. Rectal suppositories are not tied to food or other restrictions.

Improvement of the painful condition is observed on the 2-3 day, acute pain sensations subside on the 5th day of therapy. If after the course of treatment the cold symptoms still persist, then to prevent their complications you should seek medical help.

Use Paracetamol for a cold during pregnancy

The use of Paracetamol to treat colds in expectant mothers is possible when the expected benefit to the mother is higher than the potential risks to the fetus.

The drug crosses the blood-brain barrier and is excreted in breast milk. There is evidence of an association between the use of acetaminophen (paracetamol) during pregnancy and an increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorders in future children. [ 6 ] The use of painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen during pregnancy may affect future fertility in children. The use of paracetamol during pregnancy may cause closure of the prenatal ductus arteriosus in the fetus. [ 7 ] And frequent use of paracetamol in late pregnancy may increase the risk of dyspnea in future children. [ 8 ] It is recommended to stop breastfeeding during therapy. [ 9 ] However, short-term use of paracetamol appears to be compatible with breastfeeding. [ 10 ]

Contraindications

Paracetamol is prohibited for use in case of individual intolerance to its components. Oral forms are not prescribed for renal and hepatic insufficiency. Rectal suppositories are prohibited for inflammatory diseases of the rectal mucosa.

The drug is strictly prohibited to use with any alcohol-containing medications. During treatment, you should refrain from drinking alcohol.

The drug is prescribed with special caution to patients with impaired renal and hepatic function, mild arthritis, severe infections, migraines. In these cases, a doctor's permission to take the drug is required.

Side effects Paracetamol for a cold

According to medical statistics, Paracetamol very rarely causes side effects, which may manifest themselves in the following symptoms:

• Allergic skin rashes.
• Pain in the epigastric region.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Increased activity of liver enzymes.
• Hypoglycemia.
• Anemia.
• Methemoglobinemia.
• Bronchospasms.

For the treatment of side effects, symptomatic therapy with drug withdrawal is indicated. [ 11 ]

Overdose

When the maximum daily dose of Paracetamol is exceeded, there is a high risk of developing adverse symptoms. In adults, an overdose develops when using more than 10 g of the drug, and in children when using more than 150 mg / kg of body weight. The painful condition is manifested by nausea, vomiting, pale skin, deterioration of general health. Symptomatic therapy with gastric lavage is indicated for treatment. [ 13 ]

Overdose may occur in patients who, while treating a cold, take drugs that induce liver enzymes for a long period of time. Risk factors also include the following medications: Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Primidone, Rifampicin, Phenobarbital, ethanol-containing agents. In this case, the use of 5 g of Paracetamol can lead to serious liver damage, metabolic disorders of glucose, acidosis. Such conditions require emergency medical care. [ 14 ]

Interactions with other drugs

For effective treatment of colds, a comprehensive approach is used, which includes taking several medications and other therapeutic methods. In such therapy, it is very important to prevent negative interactions of the selected drugs.

Interaction of Paracetamol with other medications:

• With Metoclopramide or Domperidone, cholestyramine is reduced.
• The drug increases the risk of bleeding and enhances the anticoagulant effect of Warfarin and other coumarins.
• Barbiturates reduce the antipyretic effect of Paracetamol.
• Phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine and other anticonvulsants increase the toxic effect on the liver.
• The use of high doses of Isoniazid increases the risk of developing a hepatotoxic effect.
• The effectiveness of diuretics is reduced.

In addition to the above combinations, Paracetamol in any form is prohibited to be combined with alcohol and any products containing ethanol.

Storage conditions

According to the instructions, Paracetamol preparations should be stored in the original packaging, protected from sunlight, moisture and out of reach of children. The optimal temperature for storing the medicine is no higher than 25 °C.

Shelf life

Tablets and rectal suppositories must be used within 24 months from the date of manufacture, which is indicated on the packaging of the drugs. As for the syrup, the shelf life of a closed bottle is 2 years, an opened drug can be taken for no longer than 3 months.

Reviews

Numerous positive reviews confirm the effectiveness of Paracetamol in treating cold symptoms. The drug relieves pain, reduces high temperature, improving overall well-being. Various forms of release allow you to choose the best option for patients of different ages.

What is better? Aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen or analgin for colds?

When choosing a cold remedy, many patients are interested in what effectively relieves painful symptoms. Let's look at popular medications and compare them with Paracetamol:

1. Aspirin. A combination drug with analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. Prevents the formation of blood clots, enriches the body with ascorbic acid. It is used for pain syndromes of weak and moderate intensity of various origins, feverish conditions, acute respiratory infections, thrombophlebitis. Effective in cases of cerebrovascular accident, ischemic heart disease.
2. Ibuprofen. An analgesic, anti-inflammatory and moderate antipyretic. Inhibits prostaglandin biosynthesis, inhibits the cyclooxygenase enzyme. It is used for rheumatic diseases, pain syndromes of various origins, traumatic inflammation of soft tissues and the musculoskeletal system. It is effective in the complex therapy of ENT organs, helps with toothache and headache. Both drugs are effective for colds, but Paracetamol is better tolerated and less likely to cause side effects. [ 15 ]
3. Analgin. A drug with pronounced analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used for pain of various etiologies, feverish conditions, rheumatism, and flu. [ 16 ]

Paracetamol is more effective against colds than the above-mentioned drugs. The drug also has many analogues, the best of which are considered to be the following drugs: Panadol, Opradol, Nimesil, Pacimol, Cefekon, Rapidol. Each of the drugs has its own characteristics, so before using them, you should consult with your doctor.