"Acetaminophen": instructions for use. Description of the drug, reviews, analogues

The drugs bought in pharmacies are painkillers. And it's not even that there are a lot of them and they are sold without a prescription. Pain is a symptom of many diseases, but not everyone can tolerate it. Therefore, people are eager to purchase such a drug so that it copes with this scourge quickly and effectively. One of the most popular pain killers is Acetaminophen. Instruction for use advises to apply it in pain syndrome of various etiologies or at elevated temperature. This drug is produced in America, but in our country it is quite popular, because it quickly and effectively removes any pain.

What is Acetaminophen?

The drug belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The main active substance of the drug is paracetamol. It affects the centers of pain and thermoregulation in the brain. Because "Acetaminophen" is an effective antipyretic and analgesic. Just 15 minutes after taking the drug begins its action. In addition to relieving pain and reducing heat, "Acetaminophen" has a slight anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, it is prescribed for intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid. Often, "Acetaminophen" is used as an auxiliary in the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Its predecessor is the drug "Fenacetin", but it was more toxic and not so effective, therefore now it is used only as a part of some other preparations. "Acetaminophen" is manufactured in the American pharmaceutical company, but is sold in pharmacies around the world. It is produced in the form of tablets, capsules, syrup, effervescent powder for the preparation of solution, suspension and even candles.

Indications for use of the drug

Like all drugs containing paracetamol, "Acetaminophen" can be used for fever, infectious and inflammatory diseases and colds. It does not heal, but it helps to relieve symptoms and alleviate the condition of the patient. However, various pains of moderate and moderate intensity - this is what is often used against "Acetaminophen." Instructions for use recommend drinking it with the following symptoms:

- headache, migraine;

- toothache, condition after dental operations;

- with various myalgia, arthralgia and neuralgia, pain in joints and muscles;

- pain after burns and injuries;

- With a cold and flu;

- with algodismenore.

Can everyone drink "Acetaminophen"?

Instructions for use do not recommend the administration of the drug in tablets and capsules to children under 12 years of age and with individual intolerance to paracetamol. In addition, it is contraindicated in the following diseases:

- hepatic insufficiency;

- acute and chronic kidney disease;

- with anemia and other blood diseases.

With caution and only under the supervision of a doctor, you can use "Acetaminophen" during pregnancy, especially in its second half, with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, viral hepatitis and alcoholism.

Side effects after taking the medicine

Usually, the drug "Acetaminophen" is easily tolerated by patients. Side-effects are mainly noted in overdose. In this case, the patient may fall into a coma, he may have severe hepatic insufficiency, even sometimes threatens a fatal outcome. With long-term treatment, it is possible to develop anemia, kidney failure and reduce the number of platelets in blood tests. But most often there are such side effects:

- abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting;

- dizziness, impaired orientation or agitation;

- renal colic;

- hypoglycemia;

- allergic reactions: rash, hives, itching, Quincke's edema or angioedema.

To avoid side effects, you must strictly observe the dosage of the medication, take it only on indications and wash down with a lot of water.

How to drink "Acetaminophen"?

In a pharmacy this drug can be purchased without a prescription. But before the reception you still need to consult a doctor so that he tells how to drink "Acetaminophen" correctly. Instructions for use notes that doing this better after a couple of hours after eating, washing down the tablets with plenty of water. A single dose should not exceed 1 g of the drug, that is, you can drink 1-2 tablets. With severe pain and infectious and inflammatory diseases accompanied by fever, it is permissible to take the drug 4 times a day, but no more. Do not use "Acetaminophen" for treatment for longer than a week. And if you need to use it in pregnancy, kidney or liver failure, or older people, the dose should be cut in half, and the duration of treatment should not exceed 3-4 days. Sometimes prescribed "Acetaminophen" for children. In this case, you need to use a special children's release form in the form of a syrup or suspension and strictly follow the recommendations for dosage of the medicine.

Special instructions for taking the medicine

- Because of the danger of toxic damage to the liver, you should exclude the use of alcohol during the treatment with the drug.

- Do not drink "Acetaminophen" at the same time as other drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol.

- This medicine does not combine with glucocorticosteroids and anticoagulants.

- Barbiturates reduce the antipyretic effect of the drug, and "Metoclopramide" accelerates the rate of its absorption.

- If necessary, use "Acetaminophen" for several days in a row, you need to monitor the liver and kidneys, as well as do blood tests.

- For the treatment of children after 3 months only a special pediatric form of the drug in the form of a suspension or syrup is used. Use the medicine should be strictly on the advice of a doctor and observe the dosage necessary for a given child's age.

Why is "Acetaminophen" so popular?

The price of the drug in our pharmacies is quite high - a pack of 50 tablets costs from seven hundred to a thousand rubles. But you can find a jar and cheaper, with a capacity of 30 or even 12 pieces. And still this medicine is quite popular, because it is easy to take, it acts quickly and effectively. Many patients from all pain relievers choose "Acetaminophen". Reviews of its use note that the pain passes in 10-15 minutes, the fever subsides and the symptoms of infectious and inflammatory diseases become less pronounced. In addition, it is also important that the drug is available in a convenient package: a plastic jar holds from 30 to 100 tablets, which is enough for a long time. A tightly tightened lid does not allow children to get to the tablets.

How can I replace the drug?

There are many drugs, which include the same active substance as in "Acetaminophen." Analogues of the drug based on paracetamol among doctors and patients in our country are better known. In fact, "Paracetamol" in tablets is the cheapest. In addition, there is a children's "Paracetamol" in syrup, and tablets with this name produced by various pharmaceutical companies. There are other analogues of the drug "Acetaminophen":

"Tylenol."

"Panadol."

"Deminofen."

- "Culpol".

"Meksalen."

- "Perfalgan".

- "Stream".

"Cefekon."

- "Eferalgan".

All of them are effective against pain and heat and may well replace "Acetaminophen." There are also painkillers that contain other active substances in their composition. They are prescribed to those who have paracetamol intolerance. But the question of the need to replace the drug is solved only by the attending physician. What kind of pain medicine can replace "Acetaminophen"? The price of most of them is much lower than that of him, and you can buy them for 100-200 rubles. Most often bought:

- "Pentalgin."

"Migrenolus."

- "Novalgin."

- "Solpadein".

- Spazmalgon.

- "Next" and others.

If there is a need to choose a medicine to alleviate the symptoms of influenza and to reduce the temperature, instead of "Acetaminophen" often appoint "Antigrippin", "Coldrex", "Maxikold", "Rinzu", "Teraflu", "Ferveks" and others. But do not choose a medicine without a doctor's recommendation.