There’s little question about it – the demand for paracetamol-based merchandise has been on the upward development in Singapore, in keeping with the rise in Covid-19 instances, particularly in the course of the Omicron wave within the first quarter of 2022.
Paracetamol, which is obtainable by manufacturers reminiscent of Panadol, Tylenol and Nuromol, has been advisable in Singapore because the default remedy to take for post-vaccination aches and pains, in addition to for sufferers recovering from Covid.
Dr Raymond Ong, senior physician at Physician Anyplace explains: “Extra lately, we’re seeing a neighborhood demand for paracetamol merchandise throughout Covid-19 and the Omicron wave. This comes particularly as house restoration is inspired for individuals who had delicate signs of the virus, and paracetamol is a useful drugs to have at house to alleviate Covid-19 signs reminiscent of fever or complications.”
So, how precisely does paracetamol work?
“Paracetamol, also referred to as acetaminophen, is a drugs that’s well-established with few reported negative effects, and can be utilized to cut back fever, complications, physique aches in addition to normal ache,” says Dr Ong. “The medication has been out there for over 70 years and is without doubt one of the mostly used ache relievers worldwide.”
“Paracetamol is an analgesic and an antipyretic. To place it merely, it’s a remedy that may relieve ache and decrease physique temperature,” he provides.
When our physique is in ache, it produces prostaglandins (chemical compounds that management the immune means of the physique) in response to accidents and illnesses. Dr Ong says that paracetamol presumably reduces prostaglandins and makes us really feel much less ache, thereby rising ache tolerance.
Is there any distinction between Panadol, Tylenol, Nuromol, and different paracetamol manufacturers then?
All these manufacturers comprise the energetic ingredient paracetamol or acetaminophen, so theoretically, they share this fundamental function, which is to alleviate ache.
Are you taking the proper dose?
Whereas the advisable most dosage for paracetamol is not more than eight tablets a day, keep in mind that it’s best to solely take it when wanted, and it isn’t required to be taken day by day. The advisable dosage for adults is 2 500mg paracetamol tablets at a time.
Dr Ong warns that you shouldn’t pop greater than two tablets at any time and guarantee that there’s a hole of not less than 4 hours between every dose.
It is very important be aware that completely different paracetamol manufacturers come in several dosages and it’s best to learn the product info to learn of the advisable dosage. In the event you’re uncertain, attain out to a healthcare skilled for readability.
You need to know this by now: Consuming an excessive amount of paracetamol – whether or not intentional or not – would lead to overdose and negative effects, reminiscent of liver issues. This may be recognized with nausea, sudden weight reduction, yellowing of eye and pores and skin or unexplained bruising or bleeding.
There’s additionally the difficulty of overreliance on remedy.
“With overdosages of medicines of any form, the physique can, in the long term, develop a stronger reliance on the product and this may result in extra dependence on the drugs and presumably an habit,” Dr Ong shares.
To keep away from overdosing, he recommends the next:
- Be conscious of the dosage suggestions of the product
- Observe any negative effects that the physique could also be signalling (i.e. swelling, lack of urge for food, diarrhoea)
- Seek the advice of a health care provider if you’re uncertain of easy methods to eat the product in a secure method
Different issues it’s best to learn about paracetamol
There’s a number of info on the market about paracetamol, and it’s essential to know what’s true and what isn’t. “It’s undoubtedly difficult to get the proper supply of knowledge, particularly as sufferers are topic to misinformation as web sites, emails and textual content messages also can falsely declare well being info,” says Dr Ong.
With Covid-19, individuals are extra anxious and this might have probably led to the rampant unfold of false info, threatening the general public’s well being literacy.
Dr Raymond Ong, senior physician at Physician Anyplace
Listed below are 5 issues Dr Ong needs you to learn about paracetamol.
Supply: Her World