Is Paracetamol a Hazardous Analgesic?

Paracetamol is the most common used analgesic and anti-pyretic medication used among the public. It is inexpensive and freely available form in the market in 4 forms, which are oral preparation, tablets, capsules and in suspension. Its main function is to act as a pain reliever, which relief mild to moderate pain and fever. It is also a water-soluble molecule that can bind with glucoronide or sulphate. According to Wyeth Consumer Healthcare (n.d), paracetamol is thought to act predominantly by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system. But is paracetamol a hazardous analgesic?

Paracetamol which also known as Acetaminophen, 4-acetamidophenol and N-acetyl-p-aminophenol have a chemical formula of C8H9NO2; is a dangerous drugs when take in excess (Farley & Napier 2005) and also well-known as the most common substance used for self-poisoning (Sheen et al 2002). Generally, 4-acetamidophenol is a white, odourless crystalline compound and has a bitter taste, acts as a weak prostaglandin inhibitor. It blocks the production of prostaglandins by reducing the amount of prostaglandin available for synthesis (Assistpainrelief.com 2002; migraines.org n.d). This will reduced the dilation of blood vessels and blocks the pain message at the brain to relieve headache, migraine, period pain, joint pain etc. It is also suitable for everyone as it has very few side effects. However, risk of hepatotoxicity occurs as result of acute overdose and excessive moderate doses. Oxidized metabolites of p-aminophenol bind covalently to sulfhydryl groups on tissue macromolecules leading to cell necrosis. The binding to sulfhydryl groups can occur in either the liver or kidney (migraines.org n.d). Thus, hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity could occur due to subsequent depletion of glutathione reserves.

One of the general solutions which have been done to curb overdose of paracetamol is by reducing the availability of paracetamol to the public. UK Legislation 1998 had...