Paracetamol
Pain reliever
Common over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer.
Generic name: Acetaminophen
Brand names: Tylenol, Panadol, Hapacol, Efferalgan
Dosage
Adults: 500–1000 mg every 4–6 hours, max 4 g per day. Children: 10–15 mg/kg per dose, no more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
Side effects
Rare at recommended doses. Overdose can cause severe liver damage. Allergic skin reactions possible but uncommon.
Contraindications
Severe liver disease. Avoid combining with alcohol or other paracetamol-containing products.
Description
Paracetamol relieves mild to moderate pain (headache, muscle ache, toothache) and reduces fever. It is one of the most widely used analgesics worldwide and the first-line antipyretic for children.