PARACETAMOL

Paracetamol
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(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol)
[Source]

Paracetamol , also known as acetaminophen or APAP , is a medication used to treat pain and
fever . it is typically used for mild to moderate pain relief. Evidence for its use to relieve fever in children is mixed. It is often sold in combination with other ingredients such as in many cold

(http://portugalresident.com/warning-as-paracetamol-tablets-removed-from-sale-in-portugal)
[Source]

Pros and cons
PROS
**Paracetamol is used for reducing fever in people of all ages. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that paracetamol can be used to treat fever in children only if their temperature is greater than 38.5 °C (101.3 °F).
**Paracetamol is used for the relief of mild to moderate pain.
**The American College of Rheumatology recommends paracetamol as one of several treatment options for people with arthritis pain of the hip, hand, or knee that does not improve with exercise and weight loss.
**paracetamol is recommended by the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society as a first-line treatment for low back pain.
**A joint statement of the German, Austrian, and Swiss headache societies and the German Society of Neurology recommends the use of paracetamol in combination with caffeine as one of several first line therapies for treatment of tension or migraine headache. In the treatment of acute migraine, it is superior to placebo, with 39% of people experiencing pain relief at one hour compared with 20% in the control group.
** Combination drugs of paracetamol and strong opioids like morphine improve analgesic effect.
**The combination of paracetamol with caffeine is superior to paracetamol alone for the treatment of common pain conditions including dental pain, postpartum pain, and headache.

Adverse effect (cons)
**Acute overdoses of paracetamol can cause potentially fatal liver damage. In 2011 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched a public education program to help consumers avoid overdose, warning: "Acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage if more than directed is used."
**Untreated overdose can lead to liver failure and death within days. Treatment is aimed at removing the paracetamol from the body and replenishing glutathione .
**Paracetamol is metabolised by the liver and is hepatotoxic ; side effects are multiplied when combined with alcoholic drinks, and are very likely in chronic alcoholics or people with liver damage.
**Some studies have suggested the possibility of a moderately increased risk of upper gastrointestinal complications such as: stomach bleeding when high doses are taken chronically
**The process of dying from an overdose takes from 3–5 days to 4–6 weeks..

Refrence
[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol]
[Source]