Related Experiment Videos
[Paracetamol. Efficacious and safe for all ages]
1Klinische Pharmakologie Mannheim, Zentrum für Gerontopharmakologie, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Maybachstr. 14, 68169, Mannheim, Deutschland. martin.wehling@medma.uni-heidelberg.de
Abstract:
Paracetamol has become a focus of attention as being unsafe due to hepatic toxicity and market withdrawal or prescription status is presently under discussion in Germany. This drug is, however, effective and safe if notes of caution are applied. In Germany 38 fatal cases of analgesic poisoning were observed in 2010, only 4 of which were due to paracetamol and 16 were caused by diclofenac and ibuprofen. Alternative pain medications are obviously much less safe, in particular given the additional risk of sometimes fatal gastrointestinal bleeding and cardiovascular side effects. This review extensively analyzes the safety record of paracetamol and applies these findings to the treatment of elderly people. Even very elderly patients may be safely treated with this compound, although a dose limit of 3 g/day should be instituted. This renewed discussion was triggered by the uncontrolled availability of paracetamol in the USA but observations from this country should not be generalized and applied to the German situation and objective reasoning should be re-installed.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Methods of reducing fever
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview