#76 Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) (English)

Paracetamol is broadly used over-the-counter pain medication* and medication to reduce fever. It is frequently used to cure headaches, other minor aches and pains, and is major ingredient in many cold medications. It is not classified as NSAID** because it exhibits only weak anti-inflammatory activity. Although it treats many conditions, its exact mechanism of action of is not known.

Paracetamol is commonly known by its brand name of Tylenol, and is classified as non-opioid analgesics. This class of drugs also includes aspirin, traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. Although the field of medicine is not too sure of the how paracetamol works, we can assume its mechanism by how Non-opioid analgesics work. They work by inhibiting an enzyme known as cyclooxygenase (COX). In other words, they are enzyme inhibitors that fit to the allosteric site of the enzyme and alter the shape of the active site, which prevents the catalyzing effect of the enzyme. COX is a catalyst for the conversion of a fatty acid (arachidonic acid) contained in cell walls to substances known as prostaglandins.

 

Prostaglandins provide protective functions in the body, but they can also provoke pain, inflammation and fever. In the previous paragraph, the fact that paracetamol is not classified as NSAID is mentioned. The reason was because paracetamol exhibits weak anti-inflammatory activity, which means that it doesn’t play the major role in inhibiting a form of COX (COX_-3). Therefore, it doesn’t have the ability to reduce significant pain but minor aches and pains. It is important to be aware of the fact that the effect of paracetamol is not proportional to the amount it is taken in. 

The overdose of paracetamol can trigger side effects such as:

1.       Low fever with nausea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite

2.       Dark urine, clay coloured stools

3.       Jaundice

 Tylenol and Advil are the two most renowned pain relievers. However, Tylenol’s main compound is acetaminophen whereas Advil’s main compound is ibuprofen. Here is a table that you may be interested.

CopyRight Family Health Team

CopyRight Family Health Team

*The over-the-counter drugs refer to medicines that are sold directly to a consumer without the need of a valid prescription.

**It is drug class that groups together drugs that provides analgesic (pain-killing) and antipyretic effects, and, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory effects. 

[Bibliography]

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol

2. http://tuftsjournal.tufts.edu/2008/04/professor/01/

3. http://www.drugs.com/paracetamol.html

4. http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/09/acetaminophen-vs-ibuprofen-which-works-better/

 

KSJ