Paracetamol for fever: dosage, how to take

Paracetamol for fever is one of the most common treatments. It is prescribed to children and adults. This is the first aid that is prescribed for any increase in temperature, even in cases of unknown genesis. This remedy allows you to not only reduce the temperature. In addition, it has an analgesic, mild anti-inflammatory effect. Let's take a closer look at the specifics of the action and features of the use of paracetamol.

What does paracetamol help with?

Few people know what paracetamol actually helps with.

Paracetamol (or acetaminophen) is one of the most popular and most commonly used over-the-counter analgesics and antipyretics in the world, in both single- and multi-component preparations. It is the drug of choice in patients who cannot be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as people with asthma, peptic ulcer disease, hemophilia, salicylate-sensitized people, children under 12 years of age, and pregnant or lactating women. [ 1 ]

Traditionally, it is considered an antipyretic. However, many forget that in addition to lowering body temperature, paracetamol can normalize hemostasis, have an analgesic effect on the body, and slightly relieve inflammation. The temperature can decrease due to the direct antipyretic effect of the drug, as well as as a consequence of normalizing the body's condition, reducing the inflammatory process, and reducing the degree of irritation of nerve receptors. The effect of the drug is quite long-lasting. The temperature almost always decreases, since the drug has a normalizing effect on the thermoregulation center in the hypothalamus.

Can I take paracetamol for fever?

Patients often ask: "Can I take paracetamol for fever?" Of course, paracetamol can and should be taken at a fever. [ 2 ] It is one of the main means of normalizing body temperature by affecting the thermoregulation center located in the hypothalamus. This center, in turn, has a normalizing effect on the entire body as a whole, regulates temperature, establishes homeostasis (stability and constancy of the internal environment of the body). Unlike many drugs, paracetamol almost always reduces temperature. This is possible due to the fact that the drug directly affects the thermoregulation center, which in turn acts directly to normalize body temperature by changing the physicochemical properties of the body. The main task of the thermoregulation center is to control body temperature and maintain it within normal limits. It is this center that does not allow the temperature to rise too high or fall too low.

In this case, in the case of an infectious or inflammatory process, the activity of the thermoregulation center can be blocked. Paracetamol promotes its activation, due to which a cascade of reactions aimed at normalizing body temperature and maintaining homeostasis is launched. The advantage of paracetamol is that when the thermoregulation center is activated, the temperature always decreases, and quite quickly, regardless of the reason for its increase. In fact, this makes paracetamol a universal antipyretic, unlike symptomatic or etiological therapy, in which the temperature is normalized by eliminating the cause of its increase, as a consequence of the pathological process.

Indications Paracetamol for fever

Paracetamol is prescribed to normalize body temperature (in case of elevated body temperature, hyperthermia), in case of fever. The drug can be prescribed to normalize temperature readings regardless of the reason for its increase.

Paracetamol is the most widely used analgesic in the world and is recommended by WHO as a first-line treatment for all pain conditions. [ 3 ] It is prescribed to reduce pain, eliminate pain syndrome of any genesis and any localization. As a rule, the drug is effective for pain of mild to moderate intensity and severity. [ 4 ] In severe pain syndrome, the drug will be ineffective.

Indications for the use of paracetamol include migraine, headache, [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ] toothache, [ 8 ] neuralgia, [ 9 ] myositis, [ 10 ] radiculitis. [ 11 ] Helps with pain that occurs during menstruation or in the premenstrual period. [ 12 ] The drug can be given to reduce pain during attacks of hepatic, renal colic, gastritis, cystitis, and other acute inflammatory processes. It can also be used as a means of providing first aid for traumatic conditions, infectious and inflammatory processes, and burns. Due to the fact that the drug has a mild anti-inflammatory effect, it can be used as an adjuvant for any inflammatory and infectious processes, regardless of their localization. It is effective for tonsillitis, sinusitis, cystitis, hepatitis, gastritis, pyelonephritis, etc. For any ailment, weakness, chills, somatic discomfort, traumatic condition, this remedy can be used as a primary or auxiliary remedy. It is also included in the composition of complex therapy to enhance the effect of certain drugs, providing a complex analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic effect. [ 13 ]

Paracetamol for colds without fever

Paracetamol is often prescribed for colds without fever. Many people are surprised by this. But there is nothing surprising about it. Traditionally, paracetamol is considered an antipyretic. But this is only one of its effects. Most people forget that in addition to the antipyretic effect, paracetamol also has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effect. In addition, it normalizes homeostasis, that is, it is able to maintain the constancy of the internal environment of the body, primarily its biological fluids, which is very important for accelerating recovery. Due to the synergistic effect, the drug often enhances the effect of other drugs, in particular, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs. This significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment, accelerates recovery. If you consider that with a cold, even if it occurs without fever, there is always a violation of homeostasis, an inflammatory process develops, minimal pain appears, paracetamol will be extremely effective. [ 14 ]

Release form

The drug paracetamol is available in the form of tablets, with a concentration of 500 mg. The tablets are packed in 10-piece strip packs. They can be sold in packages without a cardboard box, or additionally packed in cardboard boxes of 1-10 pieces. There are also cardboard packages containing 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80 and 00 cell packs. You can also find tablets produced in jars of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 100 pieces. The jars are additionally packed in cardboard boxes. Paracetamol can also be produced in the form of syrup for children and suppositories.

Pills

Paracetamol tablets are prescribed for fever, various pains, inflammatory processes of any localization and severity. The concentration of the active substance is 500 mg. This is a standard single dose that an adult must take. Children, depending on age and individual characteristics, are prescribed a significantly smaller dose. Usually, the daily dose of the drug is 2 grams. Paracetamol tablets can be taken separately for fever, pain, inflammation. They can also be included in complex therapy.

Candles

Paracetamol suppositories are prescribed mainly for fever. They should be used at high temperatures, as well as for children. Suppositories act much faster than tablets. This is due to the fact that they are absorbed into the body much faster, penetrating through the mucous membranes, and enter the blood. Whereas tablets must first dissolve in the stomach, then be absorbed into the blood through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, they are partially neutralized by the juices and hydrochloric acid of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as by the enzymes of the salivary glands. Accordingly, a significantly lower concentration of the active substance penetrates the blood. When suppositories are administered, the active substance directly penetrates the blood, without additional neutralization and loss of activity. Paracetamol suppositories are administered rectally. In some cases, for example, with gynecological diseases, inflammations in the female reproductive system, paracetamol is prescribed in the form of suppositories intravaginally.

Syrup

Paracetamol is available in the form of syrup. Syrup is given to children. It is ineffective for adults, since the dosage for an adult will be insufficient to provide a therapeutic effect. As a rule, syrup is available in bottles. A measuring spoon or measuring cup is attached to it. The dosage for children depends on age, disease, and the purpose for which the drug is prescribed. It is necessary to consult a doctor, choose the optimal dosage and method of administration for the child. A single dose of the drug or long-term treatment may be required.

Pharmacodynamics

The drug is an analgesic-antipyretic. When studying the pharmacodynamics, attention is drawn to the fact that the drug has a complex effect on the body. First of all, it normalizes body temperature. This occurs due to the effect on the thermoregulation center, activating it. The thermoregulation center, in turn, affects the main indicators of the biochemical environment, normalizes and stabilizes homeostasis in the body. It also has a mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. At the same time, the drug has a moderate effect: it is able to relieve mild pain, relieve moderate pain. However, the drug will be ineffective in severe pain syndromes. This is due to the fact that pain and inflammation are relieved by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins. The drug affects mainly the hypothalamus. [ 15 ], [ 16 ]

Pharmacokinetics

When analyzing pharmacokinetics, attention is drawn to such a property as the ability to be quickly absorbed through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. The main absorption occurs in the small intestine. However, the loss of activity of the drug is insignificant. Even greater absorption occurs when the drug is administered rectally in the form of suppositories. In this case, the activity remains high. Subsequently, when the substance penetrates the blood, it is transported throughout the body. The substance is transported by diffusion (passive transport). [ 17 ]

The active concentration of the active substance in the body is achieved in 10-60 minutes. The approximate diffusion rate is 6 μg/ml. Gradually, the concentration and transport rate decrease. There is an intensive distribution of the drug in the tissues. The main amount of the substance penetrates into liquid tissues. This significantly increases the activity of the drug. Paracetamol practically does not penetrate into adipose tissue and cerebrospinal fluid. The substance is approximately 10% bound to blood proteins. In case of overdose, the percentage of binding can increase sharply. The drug is metabolized in the liver. In this case, the drug conjugates with glucuronide and sulfate. In case of overdose, accumulation of metabolites in the body, mainly in the liver, can occur, due to which poisoning occurs, severe intoxication develops. The half-life of the drug is approximately 3-4 hours. In patients with liver pathology, this period increases sharply. Renal clearance is 5%. It is excreted mainly in the urine. Approximately 5% of the active substance is excreted in pure, unbound form. [ 18 ]

How long does it take for paracetamol to work?

Answering the question of how long it takes for paracetamol to work, it is impossible to give a clear and categorical answer. There are many parameters on which the time of the expected effect depends. Usually, the active concentration of the active substance in the blood is achieved in 10-60 minutes. This is due to the rate of absorption of the active substance into the blood, which in turn is largely determined by the method of administration of the drug. Thus, the highest activity is observed when the drug is administered rectally in the form of suppositories. The drug is absorbed after 3-5 minutes. After this time, you can feel the first effect. As practice shows, the drug begins to work most quickly in children. In adults, the drug acts a little later. It is also worth noting that in liver pathologies, the drug is absorbed much longer, and the activity appears much later. For example, in people with hepatitis or cirrhosis, the effect can be achieved in about 30-90 minutes.

Dosing and administration

As a rule, the method of administration of paracetamol and its optimal dose are determined by the doctor. In this case, the method of administration and dose largely depend on the patient's age, body weight, medical history, characteristics of the course of the disease, the presence or absence of hyperthermia. Children are given the drug in the form of syrup, using a measuring spoon or glass. Usually, 5 to 30 ml are given at a time, depending on age. For adults, a single dose is 500 mg of the drug, the daily maximum dosage is no more than 2 grams per day. [ 24 ]

The toxic dose for a single acute ingestion of paracetamol in adults is traditionally defined as 150 mg/kg or 10 g.[ 25 ],[ 26 ]

The recommended daily dose of paracetamol for children is usually taken as 75 mg/kg/day (15 mg/kg/dose, not to exceed five doses in 24 hours). Many doctors consider a dose of 90 mg/kg/day to be a “supra-therapeutic dose”. [ 27 ], [ 28 ]

Paracetamol for fever in adults

Paracetamol is the main remedy prescribed for any increase in temperature. It not only reduces the temperature, but also has an analgesic, mild anti-inflammatory effect. The temperature can decrease due to the direct antipyretic effect of the drug, as well as as a result of the normalization of the body's condition, reducing the inflammatory process. The drug is almost always active, since the drug has a normalizing effect on the thermoregulation center in the hypothalamus. This center, in turn, has a normalizing effect on the entire body as a whole, regulates the temperature.

Paracetamol for fever is prescribed to adults to normalize body temperature (at elevated body temperature, hyperthermia), in case of fever. The reason for the development of temperature is not important. The drug is also prescribed to reduce pain, eliminate acute inflammatory processes. It can also be used as a means of first aid in traumatic conditions.

The concentration of the active substance is 500 mg. This is a standard single dose that an adult must take. The maximum daily dose of the drug is 2 grams. Paracetamol tablets can be taken separately when the temperature rises, or when there is pain or inflammation. Paracetamol suppositories are prescribed for high temperatures. Suppositories act much faster than tablets. This is due to the fact that they are absorbed into the body much faster, penetrating through the mucous membranes, and enter the blood.

The drug is an analgesic-antipyretic. When studying pharmacodynamics, attention is drawn to the fact that the drug has a complex effect on the body. First of all, it normalizes body temperature.

The active concentration of the active substance in the body is achieved within 10-60 minutes.

Paracetamol for fever in children

Doctors are often asked whether it is possible to give paracetamol to a child for a fever. Paracetamol is indeed prescribed for children for a fever.

Firstly, it is one of the main means of normalizing body temperature. Secondly, the drug helps relieve pain and inflammation.

Paracetamol is often prescribed to children for colds without fever, since in addition to its antipyretic effect, paracetamol also has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effect. [ 29 ]

For children, paracetamol is mainly available in bottles in the form of syrup. A measuring spoon or measuring cup is attached to it. The dosage for children depends on age and body weight.

It is also recommended for children to use paracetamol in the form of rectal suppositories. In this form, the drug acts much faster and more effectively.

The active concentration of the active substance in the body is reached in 10-60 minutes. It is excreted mainly in urine. Approximately 5% of the active substance is excreted in pure unbound form.

It is not recommended for children under 2 years of age to take the drug. Patients aged 2 to 10 years can use the drug in the form of syrup and suppositories. Children over 10-12 years of age should take the drug in tablet form.

Paracetamol and analgin for fever

Paracetamol and analgin are prescribed for fever. These are two drugs that, when combined, act synergistically and can have an enhanced effect. Both drugs have an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. When taking two drugs together, the duration of the drug's action increases, and the antipyretic and analgesic effect increases. Usually, 250 mg of paracetamol and 250 mg of analgin are taken (for an adult). You should consult a doctor about the advisability of taking such a combination of drugs for children.

Concomitant use of drugs at high temperature

At high temperature, combined use of drugs is practiced. Together, most drugs are more effective, since with the correct selection of dosage, there will be a mutual enhancement of the effect. It is recommended to use various combinations. Let's consider what to drink paracetamol with for temperature.

So, paracetamol can be taken together with analgin or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). An adult is prescribed 250 or 500 mg of each drug. The dosage is determined by the temperature. So, at a temperature of up to 38.5 degrees, you should start with 250 mg of each drug. If there is no improvement within 30 minutes, or the temperature continues to rise, you need to take another 500 mg of the drugs (500 mg of paracetamol and 500 mg of analgin or aspirin). At a temperature above 38.5-39 degrees, you need to immediately take 500 mg of each drug.

Paracetamol is also taken together with amidopyrine (250 or 500 mg), mitasozone (200 mg) + paracetamol (250 or 500 mg), calcium pantothenate (100 mg) + paracetamol (250 or 500 mg).

Analgin plus with paracetamol

If paracetamol is ineffective, take analgin plus with paracetamol. This combination of drugs is effective, first of all, at high temperatures. Thus, these drugs are prescribed at temperatures above 38 degrees, or when other antipyretic drugs are ineffective. Often, this combination is used as an effective anti-inflammatory drug to reduce and eliminate moderate pain. These drugs are prescribed mainly to adults. The question of whether this combination can be used to treat children must be decided with a pediatrician, taking into account the concomitant anamnesis, the child's condition, and his diagnosis.

Paracetamol with no-shpa

Paracetamol with no-shpa, or paracetamol with drotaverine are prescribed, first of all, for severe pain syndrome or for an inflammatory process. No-shpa relieves spasms, relaxes tense muscles, eliminates cramps and muscle spasms. As a rule, this significantly eliminates pain. This combination of drugs can be used for attacks, pain of various origins, and convulsive syndromes. It is recommended for stopping attacks of cystitis, hepatitis, hepatic and renal colic, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis. It will help stabilize the condition in the pre-hospital period, when providing first aid for various attacks, injuries, and burns. This drug can also be used to stop the inflammatory process and reduce high temperatures.

Analgin with paracetamol and no-shpa

Analgin is prescribed with paracetamol and no-shpa for severe inflammation, paroxysmal pain, and high temperature. The dosage is determined by the severity of the condition. In the most severe cases, for example, during attacks of cystitis, gastritis, colic, the above-mentioned drugs can be used (one tablet of each). For moderate inflammation and pain, 0.5 tablets of paracetamol, 0.5 tablets of analgin, and 1 tablet of no-shpa can be used. These drugs can be used for injuries and burns as a means of first aid, before the ambulance arrives. The doctor who will provide further assistance must be informed about what drugs were given to the person. This will help avoid complications and side effects. For example, analgin has an additional vasodilatory and blood-thinning effect, which sharply increases the risk of bleeding and hypertension.

Analgin with paracetamol and aspirin

If the temperature is high and does not go down for a long period of time, you can try analgin with paracetamol and aspirin. The initial dosage is 250 mg of each drug. If this combination is ineffective, you can try taking a higher dosage - 500 mg of each drug. The next dose of the drug can be taken no earlier than 30-40 minutes after taking the previous one. These drugs cannot be taken for a long time, as they can cause a number of side effects, including impaired blood clotting and increased inflammation. Children under 6 years of age are not recommended to take this combination.

Suprastin with no-shpa and paracetamol

In case of severe inflammation, acute pain syndrome, you can take suprastin with no-shpa and paracetamol. These drugs effectively relieve inflammation, reduce the level of histamine in the blood, normalize the state of the autonomic nervous system and muscles. No-shpa will help relieve spasms, relax muscles, and eliminate muscle tone. Suprastin fights inflammation, normalizes metabolic processes in the body. With the help of paracetamol, you can lower body temperature, eliminate inflammation. It is recommended to take the drugs in the following dosage: suprastin (1 tablet) + no-shpa (1 tablet) + paracetamol (0.5 or 1 tablet).

Aspirin with paracetamol

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and acetaminophen (paracetamol) are commonly used to treat fever and other symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. Both are available over the counter for use in standard recommended doses of 500 and 1000 mg per single use. Results from a 2005 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that a single dose of aspirin 500 and 1000 mg and paracetamol 500 and 1000 mg were equally effective in treating fever and other symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in adults, compared with placebo.[ 30 ]

Aspirin with paracetamol is recommended for use with elevated body temperature (over 38.5-39 degrees), intoxication syndrome. If paracetamol does not help you, try taking 1 tablet of aspirin and 1 tablet of paracetamol. This combination helps eliminate pain syndrome, reduce inflammation. The drugs are contraindicated in case of blood clotting disorders. It is also not recommended for use by children under 10 years of age.

Ibuprofen with paracetamol

For pain that occurs against the background of an inflammatory or infectious process, it is recommended to take ibuprofen with paracetamol. This combination of drugs can be recommended for people over 10 years of age. It is better to take these drugs for colds, inflammatory and infectious processes that are not accompanied by an increase in temperature. Ibuprofen has a predominantly anti-inflammatory effect, relaxes muscles, eliminates spasms. This relieves pain, prevents the progression of inflammation. It is recommended to take 0.5 tablets of ibuprofen + 1 tablet of paracetamol. If this combination is ineffective, you can take a whole tablet of ibuprofen and a whole tablet of paracetamol.

Citramon and paracetamol together

In some cases, doctors recommend that patients take citramon and paracetamol together. They mutually enhance each other's action, relieving inflammation and eliminating pain. A side effect of these drugs is a decrease in temperature. The main effect is achieved due to the fact that citramon has a very strong analgesic effect and to some extent relieves pain. Paracetamol has mainly an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect, due to which pain is reduced and muscles are relaxed.

This combination of drugs is absorbed quite quickly through the walls of the digestive tract, enters the blood, and then penetrates directly into the target tissues. It is also worth noting that in such a dosage, the drugs remain in the blood for quite a long time, due to which it is possible to achieve a prolonged effect of the drugs.

Lytic mixture for fever with paracetamol

In some cases, a lytic mixture with paracetamol is prescribed for fever. It has antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This mixture is easily soluble in water, has virtually no side effects, and has minimal contraindications. Basically, the mixture cannot be taken in case of individual intolerance to the drug or an allergic reaction.

Triplet from temperature

Troychatka is prescribed for fever. This is an effective herbal remedy. It is produced as a herbal raw material (herb). Also in the pharmacy you can find troychatka in the form of a medicinal product, produced in the form of tablets, compressed medicinal products. Basically, troychatka is known as an antiparasitic agent, however, it has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. It is used in the form of decoctions, infusions.

The herbal decoction of troychatka for temperature is used in the following form: approximately 1-2 tablespoons of troychatka are poured with a glass of boiling water. Then the remedy is allowed to brew for 30-40 minutes. A glass of decoction must be drunk within 24 hours.

To prepare the infusion, pour 3-4 tablespoons of plant material into a glass of alcohol or vodka. The product is infused for 2-3 days, after which it can be taken 2-3 tablespoons 1-3 times a day. Tablets are taken in accordance with the instructions.

Use Paracetamol for fever during pregnancy

It is known that paracetamol can penetrate the placental barrier. However, no negative effects of paracetamol on the fetus are observed, and no teratogenic effects are observed. Clinical studies have been conducted repeatedly, which have shown that the drug has no toxic or mutagenic effects on the body.

Results from the 2010 US National Birth Defects Prevention Study showed that paracetamol use during the first trimester did not increase the risk of major birth defects.[ 19 ]

All this allows the use of the drug during pregnancy. The drug significantly reduces pain, temperature, and inflammation. During pregnancy, pain cannot be tolerated. Temperature and inflammation can negatively affect the health of both the fetus and the mother. That is why, if there are indications, the drug can be taken during pregnancy. But it is still better to consult a doctor to avoid cases of individual intolerance and side effects.

Paracetamol for fever during breastfeeding

For fever during breastfeeding, you can take paracetamol. However, it should be taken into account that the drug penetrates into breast milk. Therefore, you need to weigh all the benefits of taking the drug and the possible risks of taking it, and then make an appropriate decision. If the benefit of taking the drug significantly outweighs the harm to the child, it should be taken. It should also be taken into account that if the temperature rises above 38 degrees, the child cannot be fed. Therefore, it is better to take paracetamol. In addition, an increase in temperature is almost always accompanied by a pronounced or latent inflammatory process. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate the inflammatory process. [ 20 ], [ 21 ]

Contraindications

Paracetamol is a pure active substance that has a direct antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect. At the same time, it has virtually no contraindications. It should not be taken only in cases of individual intolerance to paracetamol, with increased sensitivity to it. Chronic alcoholism is also a contraindication to the use of paracetamol. Otherwise, the drug is relatively safe and harmless. It can be taken even by pregnant women and children. [ 22 ]

Side effects Paracetamol for fever

Paracetamol can have side effects. Thus, patients often report dyspeptic disorders while taking it.

Paracetamol is one of the most dangerous compounds in medicine, causing hundreds of deaths in all industrialized countries due to acute liver failure. [ 23 ] With prolonged use of the drug, liver disorders are observed. This is due to the fact that the drug can accumulate in the liver, causing hepatotoxic and intoxicating effects.

In some cases, the drug affects the circulatory system: thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis are observed. Allergic reactions are possible, which manifest themselves mainly in the form of skin rash, rash, urticaria. With a tendency to immediate allergic reactions, anaphylactic shock, suffocation, Quincke's edema may be observed.

Overdose

Cases of paracetamol overdose are unknown, since excess of the drug is excreted unchanged through the kidneys. Cases of overdose are also observed if a person has impaired kidney and liver function. In this case, there is an intensive accumulation of the drug in the liver, due to which liver damage occurs, and signs of intoxication develop, such as nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness.

Treatment of overdose includes inhibition of paracetamol absorption from the gastrointestinal tract (decontamination, gastric lavage, activated charcoal), removal of paracetamol from the blood, and the use of antidotes to prevent the formation or detoxification of metabolites.[ 31 ]

When the first signs of poisoning appear, you need to stop taking the drug, induce vomiting, then drink a sorbent (white carbon, activated carbon). After this, you need to provide the patient with plenty of fluids and rest. Call an ambulance or consult a doctor.

Interactions with other drugs

It is necessary to take into account that paracetamol interacts with other drugs. Thus, it is not recommended to take it together with inducers of liver microsomal enzymes. In this case, a hepatotoxic effect occurs, there is a risk of toxic damage to the liver and kidneys. When taken simultaneously with anticoagulants, blood clotting is significantly reduced, there is a risk of developing blood circulation. Absorption is sharply reduced when taken simultaneously with anticholinergics. When taken simultaneously with diuretics, oral contraceptives, the effectiveness of paracetamol is sharply reduced. It cannot be taken together with sorbents (activated carbon, and other drugs). In this case, the effectiveness and bioavailability of paracetamol are sharply reduced. When taken in combination with diazepam, excretion of drugs is sharply reduced. [ 32 ]

Storage conditions

The drug should be stored at a standard temperature not exceeding 25 degrees. As a rule, storage conditions are written on the package. They must be followed. It is important to store the tablets in a dry place, protected from moisture and light. The place should be inaccessible to children and animals.

Shelf life

Usually the shelf life of paracetamol is about -3 years. As a rule, the production date is indicated on the package. For syrup, the shelf life is usually much shorter. It is about 1.5 - 3 years. Suppositories are stored for about 1 year. It should be taken into account that an opened bottle of syrup can be stored for about 3-4 weeks.

What to do if paracetamol does not reduce the temperature?

One often hears the question of what to do if paracetamol does not lower the temperature. Such cases are observed, especially if paracetamol is taken for a long period of time without changing the drug. In some cases, individual resistance, intolerance to the drug is observed. In case of drug ineffectiveness, it is always necessary to look for an alternative option. Let's consider possible options.

Paracetamol and analgin. When taking the two drugs together, the duration of the drug's action increases, and the antipyretic and analgesic effects increase. Usually take 250

Paracetamol with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). Adults are prescribed 250 or 500 mg of each drug. The dosage is determined by the temperature readings. At a temperature above 38.5-39 degrees, you need to immediately take 500 mg of each of the drugs.

Paracetamol with amidopyrine (250 or 500 mg).

Mitasozone (200 mg) + paracetamol (250 or 500 mg).

Calcium pantothenate (100 mg) + paracetamol (250 or 500 mg).

Analgin plus with paracetamol. If paracetamol is ineffective, take analgin plus with paracetamol. This combination of drugs is effective, first of all, at high temperatures. Thus, these drugs are prescribed at temperatures above 38 degrees, or if other antipyretic drugs are ineffective.

Paracetamol with no-shpa, or paracetamol with drotaverine are prescribed for severe pain syndrome or inflammation. Dosage: 1 tablet of paracetamol + 1 tablet of no-shpa.

Analgin is prescribed with paracetamol and no-shpa is prescribed for severe inflammation, paroxysmal pain, and high temperature. For moderate inflammation and pain, 0.5 tablets of paracetamol, 0.5 tablets of analgin, and 1 tablet of no-shpa can be used. These drugs can be used for injuries and burns as a means of first aid, before the ambulance arrives.

Analgin with paracetamol and aspirin. If your temperature is high and does not go down for a long time, you can try analgin with paracetamol and aspirin. The initial dosage is 250 mg of each drug. If this combination is ineffective, you can try taking a higher dosage - 500 mg of each drug.

In case of a pronounced inflammatory process, acute pain syndrome, you can take suprastin with no-shpa and paracetamol. It is recommended to take the drugs in the following dosage: suprastin (1 tablet) + no-shpa (1 tablet) + paracetamol (0.5 or 1 tablet).

Aspirin with paracetamol is recommended for elevated body temperature (over 38.5-39 degrees), intoxication syndrome. If paracetamol does not help you, try taking 1 aspirin tablet and 1 paracetamol tablet.

For pain that occurs against the background of an inflammatory or infectious process, it is recommended to take ibuprofen with paracetamol. It is recommended to take 0.5 ibuprofen tablet + 1 paracetamol tablet. If this combination is ineffective, you can take a whole ibuprofen tablet and a whole paracetamol tablet.

Citramon and paracetamol. They mutually enhance each other's action, relieving the inflammatory process and eliminating pain. A side effect of these drugs is a decrease in temperature. Take 1 tablet of each of the drugs.

What is better for fever?

When deciding what is best for fever, you need to consider the cause of the fever, what accompanying symptoms are observed, and what are the characteristics of the patient’s physiological state.

Paracetamol is the main remedy for fever. Additionally, it has an analgesic, mild anti-inflammatory effect. Temperature can decrease due to the direct antipyretic effect of the drug, as well as as a result of the normalization of the body's condition, reduction of the inflammatory process. Paracetamol almost always decreases temperature, since the drug has a normalizing effect on the thermoregulation center in the hypothalamus.

Due to the fact that the drug has a mild anti-inflammatory effect, it can be used as an auxiliary agent for any inflammatory and infectious processes, regardless of their localization zone. It is also included in the composition of complex therapy to enhance the effect of certain drugs, providing a complex analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic effect.

It acts quite quickly. Usually the active concentration of the active substance in the blood is reached in 10-60 minutes.

It is also necessary to take into account that the use of the drug during pregnancy is permitted. The drug significantly reduces pain, temperature, and inflammation. If there are indications, the drug can be taken during pregnancy. It is also irreplaceable during lactation (breastfeeding).

It is important to remember that if the temperature rises above 38 degrees, the child should not be fed. Therefore, it is better to take paracetamol. Paracetamol is prescribed for children to treat fever. Firstly, it is one of the main means of normalizing body temperature. Secondly, the drug helps relieve pain and inflammation. Paracetamol is often prescribed to children for colds without fever, since in addition to the antipyretic effect, paracetamol also has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effect.

• Paracetamol or Nurofen

If you are deciding what to take: paracetamol or nurofen, it is better to choose paracetamol. It is an effective antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug that can be used by both children and adults. The drug can be taken even during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It has virtually no side effects, no contraindications (except for cases of chronic alcoholism and individual intolerance to the drug). [ 33 ]

As for Nurofen, it has a negative effect on the liver and can cause an overdose. Intensive excretion of the substance through the kidneys creates an increased load on the kidneys and urinary system. Accordingly, the drug should not be taken during pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney and liver diseases. In addition, it can cause allergies and numerous side effects.

• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or paracetamol

If the choice is between aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and paracetamol, it is better to opt for paracetamol. This is due to the higher biological activity of the drug, and, accordingly, its higher effectiveness. Secondly, paracetamol has fewer side effects and contraindications. It can be taken by everyone, except in cases of individual intolerance to the substance. [ 34 ]

• Ibuclin

Ibuclin can be considered an analogue of paracetamol. However, it has a more pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Paracetamol, on the contrary, has a more pronounced antipyretic effect. It is necessary to take into account the fact that paracetamol has practically no contraindications or side effects. This is a relatively safe remedy that can be used by children, pregnant and lactating women. As for Ibuclin, it has numerous side effects and contraindications. It cannot be taken during pregnancy and lactation, it is contraindicated for children under 10-12 years of age.

Reviews

If you analyze reviews of paracetamol, you can find both positive and negative reviews. Paracetamol does not help everyone with fever. For some, it helps immediately and in relatively small concentrations, while for others, even high doses of this drug are ineffective. As a rule, this depends on the individual sensitivity of the body. If paracetamol does not help, you can try it in combination with other drugs.