Generic medicine

Paracetamol

Paracetamol is indicated for fever, common cold and influenza, headache, toothache, earache, bodyache, myalgia, neuralgia, dysmenorrhoea, sprains, colic pain, back pain, post-operative pain, postpartum pain, inflammatory pain and post vaccination pain in children. It is also indicated for rheumatic & osteoarthritic pain and stiffness of joints.

Brands

123

Categories

2

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Dose and dosage

Cat

Contraindicated due to toxicity.

Cattle

20mg/kg PO q8 hours.

Calves: 50 mg/kg PO followed by 30 mg/kg PO q6h

Dog

As an analgesic:
a) 15 mg/kg PO q8h (Dodman 1992), (McLaughlin 2000)
b) 10 mg/kg PO q12h (Kelly 1995)
c) 10–15 mg/kg PO q12h for 5 days (Gaynor 2008)
d) In the treatment of degenerative myelopathy (in German Shepherds): 5 mg/kg PO (not to exceed 20 mg/kg per day)

Sheep

20mg/kg PO q8 hours 

Goat

20mg/kg PO q8 hours 

Clinical notes

Applications:

N/A

Indication Notes:
Paracetamol is indicated for fever, common cold and influenza, headache, toothache, earache, bodyache, myalgia, neuralgia, dysmenorrhoea, sprains, colic pain, back pain, post-operative pain, postpartum pain, inflammatory pain and post vaccination pain in children. It is also indicated for rheumatic & osteoarthritic pain and stiffness of joints.
Avoid In:

N/A

Contraindication Notes:
It is contraindicated in known hypersensitivity to Paracetamol.
Paracetamol has analgesic and antipyretic properties with weak anti-inflammatory activity. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) is thought to act primarily in the CNS, increasing the pain threshold by inhibiting both isoforms of cyclooxygenase, COX-1, COX-2, and COX-3 enzymes involved in prostaglandin (PG) synthesis. Paracetamol is a para aminophenol derivative, has analgesic and antipyretic properties with weak anti-inflammatory activity. Paracetamol is one of the most widely used, safest and fast acting analgesic. It is well tolerated and free from various side effects of aspirin.
Patients who have taken barbiturates, tricyclic antidepressants and alcohol may show diminished ability to metabolise large doses of Paracetamol. Alcohol can increase the hepatotoxicity of Paracetamol overdosage. Chronic ingestion of anticonvulsants or oral steroid contraceptives induce liver enzymes and may prevent attainment of therapeutic Paracetamol levels by increasing first-pass metabolism or clearance.
Side effects of paracetamol are usually mild, though haematological reactions including thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, pancytopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis have been reported. Pancreatitis, skin rashes, and other allergic reactions occur occasionally.
Symptoms of Paracetamol overdose in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12-48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur.
Pregnancy category B according to USFDA. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed
Paracetamol should be given with caution to patients with impaired kidney or liver function. Paracetamol should be given with care to patients taking other drugs that affect the liver.

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