Side effects and Structure of Acetaminophen
The most common drug used in the United States for treating pain is the Acetaminophen. In 2005, there is an equivalent purchased of 28 billion doses of the medicine. Since 1997, the combination of hydrocodone–acetaminophen has been the most commonly recommended treatment in America. Nevertheless, beyond the limit of the suggested dose of acetaminophen can result to severe liver injury and can eventually lead to death.
Acetaminophen is the general term for medications that can be obtained in numerous ordinary trade name of over the counter and prescription products. It is very significant because its effectiveness in pain killing is well known. The drug does not cause any stomach distress or bleeding unlike other products.
Acetaminophen is easily found in many single component products to cure headache and it also exist with multiple product combination to treat common colds. It is also combined with some narcotic pain medications. Some people can take different products in one day which both contains acetaminophen which expose them to the risk of the side effects of acetaminophen and its overdose effects.
Panadol tablets are soluble tablets that contains similar active ingredient as paracetamol. It is a simple medicine intended for painkilling to alleviate fever, moderate and mild pain.
Side effects of medicine can be different to every individual. This paper will mention several possible side effects of the drug; however, it does not mean that the side effect will happen to all people who take this medicine. Panadol Ultra has an active ingredient of paracetamol, codeine phosphate and hernilhydrate.
Some of the possible side effects that are associated to acetaminophen are allergic skin reaction, rashes, tarry, black stools, abnormal bruising and bleeding, sudden decline of urine amount, ulcers, white spots or sores in mouth, sore throat not existing prior to drug intake, skin rash, itching or hives, skin red spots, lower back pain, fever associated with chills and cloudy or bloody urine.
It is recommended that the medication should be stopped if there are signs of a severe allergic reaction such as hives, throat and face swelling and difficulty in breathing. Signs of overdose on the other hand include pain, tenderness and swelling in the upper stomach region, pain and stomach cramps, appetite loss, vomiting and nausea, abnormal sweating and diarrhea (Chealt, 2014).
The recommended daily dose of panadol is 4 grams. Exceeding this recommended dose can pose abnormalities in the blood that can lead to liver failure. Cases of overdose of panadol include unmindful taking-up of the medicine.
As mentioned above, other effects of panadol is liver injury which can be manifested by yellow eyes and skin, pale stools, itching of skin, darkening of urine and stomach pain.
Liver injury happened when small amounts of acetaminophen are transformed to a poisonous metabolite. The poisonous substance combines with liver proteins which will result to cellular damage. The extent of the liver injury is affected by the amount of toxic metabolite formed and the capability of the liver to eliminate this metabolite sooner than it connects to liver proteins (Ganley, 2009).
If any of the side effects occurred, it is advised to end the use of the medicine and seek further help of doctors. The effects can be reported so that appropriate medical assistance would be provided.
Reference:
Ganley, C. (2009). Acetaminophen Overdose and Liver Injury — Background and Options for Reducing Injury. USA: Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
C health. (2014, December 15). Retrieved from MediResource Inc: http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_details.asp?channel_id=0&brand_name_id=4515&page_no=2#AdverseEffects
